It's always somewhat wholesome when an NHL club - or any sports team for that matter - acquires a former player or a player with ties to the team. Ilya Lyubushkin, who was just acquired last night from the Anaheim Ducks, not only played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the past, but he is also very close friends with current Leafs netminder, Ilya Samsonov.
Their friendship started when both players were forced into getting their American visas in Uzbekistan because of the sanctions the United States had placed on Russia for the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ever since then, they've been rather close.
It remains to be seen what kind of role Lyubushkin will play in his second tenure with the Maple Leafs. However, if and when he does get some playing time, look for some jovial chemistry on and off the ice between the two Russians.
