By Alex Hobson
In February 2011, once the Leafs figured they weren't going to be contenders for the playoffs, then GM Brian Burke traded defenseman Francois Beauchemin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jake Gardiner and Joffrey Lupul. We've already discussed Gardiner, so let's talk about Lupul. He's a great player when healthy, being able to score goals and put up points as a whole, but the one problem with him is clear to see for any Leafs fan. His durability. He hasn't played a full NHL season in his entire career. He's come close, appearing in 81 games for the Ducks in 2006-07, but has yet to appear in all 82 games due to injuries. Let's take a closer look at Lupes' case.
All was going so well for the Leafs and Lupul. He finished the 2010-11 season with a bang for the Leafs, putting up 18 points in 28 games, and then had an amazing season in 2011-12, putting up a career high 67 points in 66 games. Then, as soon as the 2012-13 season started, Lupul missed a handful of games due to a broken forearm. Then, he came back and appeared in a couple games, putting up a solid amount of points now playing alongside of Nazem Kadri, and then missed several games due to a concussion. Needless to say, Lupul kept getting hit with the injury bug and it resulted in him missing a significant amount of games. Due to this and the fact the Leafs are heading into a rebuild, Lupul could find himself as a trading chip, but it's hard to tell whether he will start the season with the Leafs or get moved beforehand, so only time will tell Lupul's fate.
STATUS: ON THE BLOCK
Lupul is a player the Leafs' can't afford to keep during a rebuild. His injury history, his durability, and his hefty cap. That being said, even though the Leafs will likely try to move him before training camp, there's a large chance he'll be around for a while, given the fact that no team will want his contract and his tendency to play less than half a season.
2015-16 ROLE: 2ND LINE WINGER IF HE STAYS
Given the fact that James van Riemsdyk will likely be given first line duties, if Lupul stays he will likely remain on the second line alongside of Tyler Bozak and someone along the lines of Richard Panik. That is, if he stays. Lupul is still a trade chip and if the right offer comes along, the Leafs won't hesitate to move him.
What do you think of Lupul, Leafs fans? Should the Leafs keep him for another year or trade him? Weigh in below.
In February 2011, once the Leafs figured they weren't going to be contenders for the playoffs, then GM Brian Burke traded defenseman Francois Beauchemin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jake Gardiner and Joffrey Lupul. We've already discussed Gardiner, so let's talk about Lupul. He's a great player when healthy, being able to score goals and put up points as a whole, but the one problem with him is clear to see for any Leafs fan. His durability. He hasn't played a full NHL season in his entire career. He's come close, appearing in 81 games for the Ducks in 2006-07, but has yet to appear in all 82 games due to injuries. Let's take a closer look at Lupes' case.
All was going so well for the Leafs and Lupul. He finished the 2010-11 season with a bang for the Leafs, putting up 18 points in 28 games, and then had an amazing season in 2011-12, putting up a career high 67 points in 66 games. Then, as soon as the 2012-13 season started, Lupul missed a handful of games due to a broken forearm. Then, he came back and appeared in a couple games, putting up a solid amount of points now playing alongside of Nazem Kadri, and then missed several games due to a concussion. Needless to say, Lupul kept getting hit with the injury bug and it resulted in him missing a significant amount of games. Due to this and the fact the Leafs are heading into a rebuild, Lupul could find himself as a trading chip, but it's hard to tell whether he will start the season with the Leafs or get moved beforehand, so only time will tell Lupul's fate.
STATUS: ON THE BLOCK
Lupul is a player the Leafs' can't afford to keep during a rebuild. His injury history, his durability, and his hefty cap. That being said, even though the Leafs will likely try to move him before training camp, there's a large chance he'll be around for a while, given the fact that no team will want his contract and his tendency to play less than half a season.
2015-16 ROLE: 2ND LINE WINGER IF HE STAYS
Given the fact that James van Riemsdyk will likely be given first line duties, if Lupul stays he will likely remain on the second line alongside of Tyler Bozak and someone along the lines of Richard Panik. That is, if he stays. Lupul is still a trade chip and if the right offer comes along, the Leafs won't hesitate to move him.
What do you think of Lupul, Leafs fans? Should the Leafs keep him for another year or trade him? Weigh in below.
Lupes would still be a force if paired with #42 and 21 on the top line.
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