'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.

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.

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