Maple Leafs Sign Joffrey Lupul to Five-Year Contract Extension

[chilly666]

Dave Nonis, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced on Sunday that the hockey club has signed forward Joffrey Lupul to a five-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Joffrey has proven to be a dynamic offensive player and since joining our hockey club he has fit in extremely well with our team,” said Nonis. “His alternate captaincy is well deserved and, by signing this extension, we look forward to him playing a large role with the Leafs for many years to come.”

Lupul, 29, played 66 games in 2011-12 and ranked second on the Leafs in goals (25), assists (42), points (67) and powerplay goals (8). He established career highs for assists and points in a season. At the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend in Ottawa, he was the assistant captain for Team Chara and scored two goals in the NHL All-Star Game. The 6-1, 206-pound left-winger was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Month in November 2011, during which he recorded a career-best seven game point-streak. He was also the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for the period ending January 8, 2011 when he earned seven points (two goals, five assists) in three games. The Leafs acquired Lupul along with Jake Gardiner from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Francois Beauchemin on February 9, 2011.

In 517 career NHL games with Toronto, Anaheim, Philadelphia and Edmonton, Lupul has registered 323 points (151 goals, 172 assists) with 313 penalty minutes. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native was originally selected seventh overall by Anaheim in the 2002 Entry Draft.

[chilly666]

5 year ext for Lupul. $5.25 average salary. Ltd no-trade. Leafs can request list of 14 teams.

Dreger

[I_am_Belak_2]

Good deal. I'm happy.

[Cat Smasher]

5 years, yay. Way to keep it smart.

[grits207]

Nice! Good to see Lupul locked up long term, IMO he's the Leafs best all around player.

[rock'emsock'em]

I've always liked Lupul. I often have beers with a guy who knows him fairly well and by all accounts he is a pretty gracious guy off the ice which is good to hear. Happy to have him stay with the blue and white.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by rock'emsock'em

I've always liked Lupul. I often have beers with a guy who knows him fairly well and by all accounts he is a pretty gracious guy off the ice which is good to hear. Happy to have him stay with the blue and white.

One of my cousins is friends with him. They both grew up in Fort Saskatchewan. Both played hockey. Just too bad my cousin was a goaile and never made it past the Fayetteville FireAntz lol.

[thepolishkid88]

Love Lupul, but not at that price or term or limited no trade either. James Neal's deal looks like grand theft now. Good lord.

[grits207]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Love Lupul, but not at that price or term or limited no trade either. James Neal's deal looks like grand theft now. Good lord.

Neal wasn't UFA eligible when he re-signed, Lupul was. Resigning potential UFAs is always going to cost significantly more than resigning RFAs so it's really not a fair comparison.

[leafs_fan77]

This is good enough for my liking.

[Gunslinger]

Lupul is one of the few Leafs to actually earn their money. Good signing.

[The Dougler]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Love Lupul, but not at that price or term or limited no trade either. James Neal's deal looks like grand theft now. Good lord.

What the sh*t are you talking about? Just wait 5 years when Neal is the same age as Lupul and going into UFA. You won't like what you see

I like Lupul and he's now an assistant captain which speaks well to his standing in the dressing room. One of Burkes better trades

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by grits207

Neal wasn't UFA eligible when he re-signed, Lupul was. Resigning potential UFAs is always going to cost significantly more than resigning RFAs so it's really not a fair comparison.

To a degree the RFA to UFA situation is a bit different, but Neal also could have gone for a short term deal and hit his eligibility. Instead he took a long term deal.

I enjoy Lupul's game no doubt about that, but would you honestly take him over 10-12 of the players in this list? I wouldn't.

http://www.capgeek.com/comparables/?...44&season=2013

He had a great year in 2011-12 and hit a high of 67 points, but before his career high was his rookie year. Just saying I have my concerns with the deal as is. The NTC thing is happening more and more. Something that I wouldn't give to anyone unless your an absolute star in the league.

[acdcrocksno1]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

To a degree the RFA to UFA situation is a bit different, but Neal also could have gone for a short term deal and hit his eligibility. Instead he took a long term deal.

I enjoy Lupul's game no doubt about that, but would you honestly take him over 10-12 of the players in this list? I wouldn't.

http://www.capgeek.com/comparables/?...44&season=2013

He had a great year in 2011-12 and hit a high of 67 points, but before his career high was his rookie year. Just saying I have my concerns with the deal as is. The NTC thing is happening more and more. Something that I wouldn't give to anyone unless your an absolute star in the league.

3 players on that list would I take over him

[grits207]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

To a degree the RFA to UFA situation is a bit different, but Neal also could have gone for a short term deal and hit his eligibility. Instead he took a long term deal.

I enjoy Lupul's game no doubt about that, but would you honestly take him over 10-12 of the players in this list? I wouldn't.

http://www.capgeek.com/comparables/?...44&season=2013

He had a great year in 2011-12 and hit a high of 67 points, but before his career high was his rookie year. Just saying I have my concerns with the deal as is. The NTC thing is happening more and more. Something that I wouldn't give to anyone unless your an absolute star in the league.

There are certainly a few players on that list I'd take over Lupul but again most of them weren't UFA eligible when they signed their deals so of course their salaries look better in comparison.

I'm not saying the deal is perfect, I realize there is a decent amount risk involved in giving a 5 year deal to a guy who has had a lot of injury problems in the past but it's a risk the Leafs had to take. I'd much rather risk overpaying for him than to lose him for nothing this summer and set the franchise back another few years.