In an interview with Wayne Fish of phillyburbs.com, Flyers’ General Manager Paul Holmgren made some interesting comments concerning the fitness and potential of winger Joffrey Lupul, coming off a very disappointing season.
“He needs to be stronger, his upper body in particular,” said Holmgren. “He needs to be in the best shape he’s ever been. This is a big year for him. He tends to drift every so often. If he’s on his game, he has a chance to be a 40-goal scorer. He does many things well, but he drifts in and out. He has to bring it every night.”
Holmgren’s mixed words come on the tail end of a forgettable 2008-09 season for Lupul, who despite managing 25 goals and 25 assists, was invisible most nights and most shifts. Flyers’ fans have had a constant love/hate relationship with the right winger because of his notorious partying combined with streaky play. On a between-periods special, Lupul admitted to having the highest fat count on the team.
Lupul recently signed a $4.25 million, four-year deal with the Flyers, who hope, starting next season, that he starts pulling his weight.
Phila.Bright 