With the way Joffrey Lupul has played in his last six games, one has to wonder where the Leafs could have been had they had him healthy and playing during his 7 1/2 week hiatus.
That may seem ridiculous to ponder at this point.
Sure, Nazem Kadri picked up the slack in his absence, producing at a rate that seemed inconceivable given the way the last three years have gone for him.
Sure, the Leafs find themselves in a pretty good spot, with 44 points over 36 games, in a season where the team was expected to struggle to even make the post-season. But with eight goals and 13 points in his six game return, it’s hard not think of the possibilities had Lupul played the entire season.
Arriving in Toronto prior to last season as a throw-in along with Jake Gardiner from Anaheim for defenceman Francois Beauchemin, Lupul’s game appeared to spawn new life. He shook off several injuries to grab 67 points in 66 games in 2011-12, before his year was cut short because of a separated shoulder. It was the first time in his career that he averaged over a point per game.
Three games into the 2013 season, Lupul broke his forearm after being hit by a Dion Phaneuf slapshot. He returned in early March and has had an immediate impact, scoring in all six games he has played while registering 13 points, mostly alongside Nazem Kadri, who finds himself sixth in NHL scoring after Saturday’s dominant win over the Senators.
"Now in my career I’m trying to learn and improve everyday whereas earlier in my career I was just happy to be in the NHL and settled into that role of a good player, second line player and I’m really pushing it," Lupul said prior to Saturday’s performance in Ottawa. "Now I want to see how good of a player I can be."
While the majority of his success in these six games has come while playing with Kadri, head coach Randy Carlyle has shifted him at times to play with his previous line mates in Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. With the offence stagnant during the first part of the Leafs 6-3 win over Carolina, Carlyle put Lupul with those line mates and he grabbed a goal and an assist.
Combining the past two seasons, Lupul has 80 points in 74 games. Had this type of production been around all season long, the Leafs may have been hanging on to a home playoff seed or perhaps better than that.
In January, Lupul was rewarded with a brand new five-year contract extension at a cap-friendly $5.25 million a season. It was one of GM Dave Nonis’s first moves after he took over the job following Brian Burke’s dismissal and it could end up being his best.
"I think he’s really solidified himself in his mind of understanding what his body is telling him now" said Randy Carlyle, who coached Lupul in Anaheim and never saw this level of play in California. "He gives himself the best chance for success by looking after himself and training properly. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and he’s shown great offensive flair."
Lupul’s point production make him popular, but his arm-waving gestures following goals asking the crowd for noise, combined with his leadership qualities has turned him into a fan favourite for years to come.
The Maple Leafs have been fun to watch if you are a fan and Lupul’s a big reason why.