Another Toronto Maple Leaf may be bound for the injured reserve.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Frank Seravalli of TSN.ca reports it’s believed the oft-injured Joffrey Lupul failed a physical exam and was told he’s “unfit” to play and will begin the season on the IR.
“Lupul returned to Toronto from his off-season home on Sept. 13. Sometime during the last week, it’s believed Lupul underwent a physical examination by Maple Leaf doctors and indications are Lupul was notified he is unfit to play and will be placed on the injured reserve list to begin the season.”
Lupul’s been effective when he’s suited up in the Leafs lineup but has only appeared in 170 games over the past three seasons. His 2015-16 was over after season-ending sports hernia surgery. Lupul told Steve Simmons in June he still has aspirations of playing, but the Leafs may be forcing his hand.
There’ve been questions about the Leafs designating players to permanent IR otherwise known as “Robidas island,” a nod to Lou Lamoriello’s cap tactics. Stephane Robidas and Nathan Horton currently sit on the IR. Jared Cowen also may find himself on the IR due to his ongoing failed buyout. Adding Lupul to the mix would give them a jam packed IR. Toronto hasn’t circumvented the salary cap, but it’s awfully slimy. The Leafs “notifying” Lupul he’s “unfit” and possibly adding another player to IR isn’t technically exploiting the rules, but it teeters on the line.
Here’s what Lupul had to say:
Here it is: pic.twitter.com/T6G41YDglB
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) September 22, 2016
