Courtesy of The Hockey News
Joffrey Lupul just can’t catch a break.
While recovering from a blood infection that has kept him off the ice since Dec. 8, 2009, the 26- year-old former Flyer and current Anaheim Ducks forward announced on Monday that he has been diagnosed with yet another blood infection.
Lupul, a Flyer from 2007-09, missed all but two months of the 2009-10 season and is expected to miss training camp and the start of the regular season.
“It’s really frustrating,” Lupul told the OC Register. “I haven’t played hockey in a long time. I was hoping to be ready on day one of camp. But now my focus has changed. I want to get rid of this. I’m very confident I can get back playing and playing well.”
Since being traded by the Flyers at the 2009 NHL entry draft with Luca Sbisa for defenseman Chris Pronger, Lupul has continually battled the same blood infection. Shortly after a second surgery on his back to fix a herniated disc in late Dec., the lively forward was diagnosed with the dangerous infection and it quickly ended his season.
“There were some days where I was really questioning whether I was going to play again, and that’s not a good feeling,” Lupul said at the beginning of the offseason. “Now I’m in much better spirits.”
However, the Ducks expect this infection to be handled much quicker than the last.
“He’s expected to make a full recovery. However, he will not be able to train until he’s completed his cycle of antibiotics,” Ducks general manager Bob Murray told the Register. “He will be re-evaluated at that point (Sept. 20).”
According to Curtis Zupke, Lupul has lost 20 points and is not close to game shape. Despite an expected return to the ice in late Sept., Lupul will likely need at least a month to get back into suitable playing shape.
Lupul makes $4.25 million and scored 10 goals and four assists in 23 games last season in Anaheim.
Phila.Bright 