Buffalo Sabres: Is Ilya Lyubushkin ready to mentor a young group?
By Sion Fawkes
Why Ilya Lyubushkin can mentor a young Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation
Lyubushkin’s experience is a godsend. And while he played just four seasons in the NHL, his five years of KHL experience has him going into his tenth professional season, so odds are, Lyubushkin has seen most. While he has little playoff experience in the NHL, he does know what it is required to stay the course as the season steamrolls into February and March as the playoff race heats up.
Over his four years in the NHL, Lyubushkin has also gotten progressively better, meaning he can also help the younger defensemen ward off potential slumps, or clue them in on how to best deal with them. A hard-hitter who isn’t often caught out of position, Lyubushkin possesses a similar playing style to that of Mattias Samuelsson, and he could also help augment the latter’s development.
Overall, Lyubushkin’s experience is everything a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs in over a decade would look for. Both in becoming a focal point for the entire team if a playoff run were to occur, and to keep the entire defensive rotation in check as the season wears on.