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.
Filed under 2009-10 season
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.”
Filed under 2009-10 season, Around the NHL
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.
Filed under 2009-10 season, Offseason
Is there anyone better at heating up a rivalry than Rangers forward Sean Avery? Avery was booked on the Jimmy Fallon show Monday night, promoting his charity Career Gear, which recycles suits to give to people in need. During the interview, Avery mentioned he attended the Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee, and that his camp, during the multi-day hippee party, was located directly next where Joffrey Lupul and some other Flyers were staying.
Avery recalled back to the final game of the regular season between the Flyers and Rangers, where Lupul crosschecked Avery from behind after the whistle. Avery turned around and went after the first player in orange and black, which happened to be Scott Hartnell. Hartnell tried to fight Avery, but slipped backwards.
Avery said that he and Lupul “Hugged it out,” but that Hartnell is “A bit of a clown.”
If the youtube.com link breaks, I will try to track down the interview on Hulu as soon as it’s posted.
Filed under Around the NHL, Offseason
After a listless 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, the Flyers’ management gave the team absolute hell. General Manager Paul Holmgren called out individual players and coach John Stevens searched for ways to get his team motivated with just a handful of games remaining and playoff seeding in jeopardy.
But thanks to the schedule makers, the Flyers will have a chance for redemption tonight, as they host the Leafs at 7 p.m., in what can’t be called anything less than a must-win game.
Filed under 2008-09 season
In response to the lack of aggression and energy shown by the Flyers the past two games, coach John Stevens played Dr. Frankenstein in today’s practice, in an attempt to promote more balanced scoring.
The Flyers moved Danny Briere to a line with Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter, while Joffrey Lupul was moved to a line with Mike Richards and Daniel Carcillo. Claude Giroux was moved to the top line with Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble.
“The last couple games we didn’t create a lot of chances offensively,” said Simon Gagne. “Sometimes a little bit of change will bring that energy or that thing you’re looking for.”
The Flyers arrived in Buffalo this afternoon to take on the struggling Sabres, Friday night at 7 p.m.
Filed under 2008-09 season
Phila.Bright 