Don Cherry thinks Joffrey Lupul should keep accusations about the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Lou Lamoriello off social media and instead “lay on the California beach” and “collect the dough.”
The longtime hockey commentator’s comments were made through his Twitter account Saturday as he voiced his displeasure about an Instagram post made by Lupul. Earlier this week, Lupul claimed the Leafs were allowed to “cheat” following his failed physical.
“Joffrey; shake your head. Lou is so straitlaced, as they say,” a message from Cherry’s Twitter account read. “He won’t allow long hair on his team. Matt Martin had to cut his hair before he reported. Do you really think that he went to the doctor and said, ‘Don’t pass Lupul?’
“First, that’s saying he would risk his reputation. And what about the doctor and his reputation? There’s no way this happened. Joffrey; you’re getting $5 million for doing nothing. Lay on the California beach. Collect the dough. Lou might bend a few rules, but he would never cheat. Word of advice: Don’t piss him off. Keep your mouth shut.”
Lupul eventually removed the Instagram post and has since apologized for being an “unneeded distraction.” He said he wouldn’t seek a second opinion on the status of health, but the NHL is expected to do so.
The 33-year-old played 280 games with the Maple Leafs from 2011 to 2016. He hasn’t suited up for an NHL game in more than a year-and-a-half due to injuries.
He’s in the final year of a five-year, $26.25-million contract. NHL teams cannot buy out injured players, who are entitled to their full paid if unhealthy.
Lupul, the 2002 seventh-overall pick, has 205 goals and 420 points over a 701-game NHL career.
He’s said he hopes to resume playing at some point.
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