Courtesy of THN
Notorious playboy and underachiever Joffrey Lupul, has been traded three times since being drafted seventh overall by Anaheim in 2002. But after two growing years in Philadelphia, Lupul finds himself back in his old stomping grounds of California. And this time, he is carrying a much different mindset.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” Lupul told Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register. “I want to make a breakthrough. I’ve always been the secondary scorer, the guy who’s been pretty productive but hasn’t really taken a lead role. I want to change that this year, to go up a notch.”
Lupul, now 25, was a blossoming prospect with the Ducks before being traded to his home town of Edmonton, in the move that earned the Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger. Lupul was then moved to Philadelphia with Jason Smith, in the deal for Joni Pitkanen. But despite the constant movement, Lupul has always felt he would end up back in Anaheim, renting out his home there, rather than selling it.
“The coaches there were very good teachers,” Lupul said of his time in Philly. “I got to kill penalties and fill some different roles. I think I’m better all-around. Then this trade happened, but it didn’t take long before I realized how good this would be for me. Sure, the travel is harder, but I miss those six- and seven-game trips. Those long flights make a team closer.”
In his time with the Flyers, Lupul was known for his inconsistency and uninspired play. With an uncanny ability to turn his game on and look like the best player on the ice at times, Lupul was nothing more than a second-line depth scorer, producing 45 goals and 51 assists in 177 games with the Flyers.
Lupul and the Ducks come back to the Wachovia Center on Oct. 10.
Phila.Bright 