• Search
  • Teams & Specialty
  • Stake RTB
  • \
  • version-4.2.46-d5f2ee769
    Back to Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable
    David Alter·Mar 30, 2024·Partner

    'They Had a Small Pond Where My Kids Could Fish': Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin Returns to Buffalo and Reunites With Friendly Neighbors

    Lyubushkin spent the 2022-23 season with the Buffalo Sabres before the club traded him to the Anaheim Ducks in the offseason.

    Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner skates with skills staff as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

    BUFFALO — Although Ilya Lyubushkin said he expected he might be traded following his first season with the Buffalo Sabres, he wasn't necessarily happy about it.

    The Russian defenseman signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Sabres on July 13, 2022 and enjoyed his time with the club.

    "It's a good group of guys here. Good people. I made a lot of friends here, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman said. "Not just with the team. My neighbors, we're still in touch. It's so nice."

    Lyubushkin lived in the southern part of Buffalo and talked about how his friendship with the neighbors came about.

    "Our properties are so close to each other and they have a small pond where my kids can fish," Lyubushkin said. "I ask them if it's possible, they say 'yes, of course'. We ride four-wheelers together."

    Lyubushkin's neighbourhood was badly affected by a record snowfall in December 2022 and he had to enlist the help of his neighbors to have him meet the team in the city in time for practice and a subsequent road trip.

    The defenseman had already made his return to Buffalo this season while with the Ducks. Ten days after that visit, the defenseman was traded to Toronto for a third-round draft pick.

    One of Lybushkin's neighbors had already made a trip to Toronto to see the defenseman play in a game this season and they will be on hand on Saturday when the Sabres host the Maple Leafs.

    Lyubushkin generally loved his time in Buffalo and enjoyed playing under Sabres head coach Don Granato 

    "He's a good guy, good person, good coach. He was good on me."

    Lybushkin has three assists in 10 games since re-joining the Leafs this season. He first played with the team during the 2021-22 season.

    Related

    News from THN.com

    0
    0
    0
    0
    Comments0
    0/3000
    You are not logged in, but may comment anonymously. Anonymous comments will only be published with admin approval.
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    Michael_Traikos·Mar 27, 2025
    3
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    0
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    2
    0
    Reply
    1
    0
    Reply
    LyleRichardson·Mar 27, 2025
    1
    0
    Reply
    Recommended Posts
    Adam Proteau·4d·Partner
    Five Teams Brad Marchand Could Play For Next Season
    2
    0
    11
    0
    Jim Parsons·4d·Partner
    How Evander Kane And Trent Frederic Could Reshape The Oilers’ Lineup Come Playoff Time
    2
    0
    1
    0
    Michael Traikos·Mar 27, 2025·Partner
    The Misery Is Over: Philadelphia Flyers Fire Tortorella With Nine Games Remaining
    3
    0
    2
    0
    Carol Schram·5d·Partner
    Alex Ovechkin Vs. Wayne Gretzky: The Tale Of The Tape In NHL Record Chase
    1
    0
    3
    0
    Ken Campbell·6d·Partner
    Are The Boston Bruins Really This Awful?
    1
    0
    5
    0
    Jason Chen·23h·Partner
    NHL Power Rankings: The Great Playoff Chase Is On As Bruins Hit Rock Bottom
    1
    0
    4
    0
    Back to Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable