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Toronto Maple Leafs Rumors: Joffrey Lupul is Finished in Toronto

By Paul Taylor

Dec 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul (19) after being called for a penalty against the San Jose Sharks at the Air Canada Centre. San Jose defeated Toronto 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul (19) after being called for a penalty against the San Jose Sharks at the Air Canada Centre. San Jose defeated Toronto 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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If recent speculation is to be believed, Joffrey Lupul has played his last game in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, leaving you to wonder what might have been?

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In the lead-up to the trade deadline, there was speculation the Toronto Maple Leafs were shopping Joffrey Lupul around. However, this talk never materialized into anything, with the winger’s season-ending sports hernia surgery likely playing a significant part.

Regardless, it appears Lupul may be done in Toronto. According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, the belief is the Ford Saskatchewan, Alberta native has played his final game in a Leafs jersey.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the front office will buy out the remaining $9 million on Lupul’s contract. Rather, Simmons writes that it could be a similar situation to Stephane Robidas, who remains on the Leafs roster, but is on injured reserve and shows no progress towards a return.

In truth, while the full extent of Robidas’ knee injury isn’t clear, Lupul is likely to recover. Pending what can be agreed about the final two years of his deal, he still theoretically has something to offer in the NHL.

Assuming the 32-year old’s time is up in Southern Ontario, it leaves you wondering what might have been? He is an extremely talented player, capable of competing with the very best on his day.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul (19) skates before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

During his first three seasons for the Leafs, Lupul averaged virtually a point per game. However, he was limited to just 110 appearances during that period, due to a combination of the 2012-13 strike and, more importantly, injuries.

In that respect, the former seventh overall draft pick’s constant battle to remain healthy, eventually started to take it’s toll on his production. From scoring 44 points in 69 appearances two season’s ago, he was limited to 14 in 46 games during this campaign, before being shut down.

Overall, no matter how frustrated fans became by Lupul’s seemingly endless injury issues, he always played hard whenever he was available. If this really is the end, there will always be regret that he never got the chance to fully take advantage of his potential in Toronto.

Next: Kasperi Kapanen shows skills in Leafs debut (video)

Do you believe Lupul is finished with the Leafs, or would you like to see them keep him around? Whether it’s in Toronto or somewhere else, do you still think he can produce in the NHL? Let us know in the comments section below.

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