Sunday, January 20, 2013
Lupul's new deal
By Luke Lapinski
According Darren Dreger of TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs have inked a five-year extension with Joffrey Lupul. Details are still coming out, but it appears the deal will average $5.25 million annually and come with a limited no-trade clause.
"Joffrey has proven to be a dynamic offensive player and since joining our hockey club he has fit in extremely well with our team," Leafs senior vice president and general manager Dave Nonis said. "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."
In other words, he's a big part of the club's vision for the future. Lupul enjoyed a career year in 2011-12 and, at 29 years of age, can certainly be an integral part of the plan in Toronto for many years to come. His 25 goals, 42 assists and 67 points last season were second only to Phil Kessel on the Leafs' roster, and they'll need more of the same from him if they plan on making their first playoff appearance since the 2003-04 campaign.
Craig Custance
No reason to worry?"Some GMs were concerned that 8-year contract term limit would become standard for extensions. Edler and Lupul deals may alleviate that."
