Continuing the review of the 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs, we take a look today at the winger who exceeded all expectations to become their most valuable player and a forward who was depended on to repeat his goal scoring success from last season and did not even come close.
Joffrey Lupul – Winger: No one could have dreamed that Lupul would have the renaissance to his career in Toronto that he did last season. After missing nearly 90 games over two seasons due to back surgery and a serious blood infection, the three time 20 goal scorer was traded to Toronto along with defenseman Jake Gardiner and a conditional draft pick for defenseman Francois Beauchemin.
The perception was that Lupul and his $4.25 Million salary was the price that the Leafs had to pay to get a young prospect for a failed free agent signing in Beauchemin, but he more than earned every penny, making his first All-Star Game appearance and averaging more than a point-a-game as part of one of the most effective scoring combos in the league with Phil Kessel.
After stops in Philadelphia, Edmonton and twice in Anaheim, Lupul has matured into more than just a scorer, as he became one of the leaders on the Leafs, played effectively in the offensive and defensive zones and brought out the best and most consistent year from his linemate. His value to the club was proven by their offensive struggles after his shoulder injury in early March.
Grade: A
Projection: Top six forward
Nikolai Kulemin – Winger: A great deal was expected out of the 25 year old Magnitogorsk, RUS native after scoring a career-high 30 goals in 2010-11 on a line with Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur. Both linemates put up comparable goal totals to their numbers from last year, but Kulemin may have fallen prey to the pressure of putting up good numbers in the wake of becoming a restricted free agent this July.
He scored only three goals by the halfway mark and finished the season with a career-low seven goals and was moved to the checking line for a time. He missed the last dozen games of the season with a broken finger and finished the season with 28 points in 70 games.
The only positive to his season was that in spite of his offensive problems, he still hustled and showed effort defensively.
Grade: D+
Projection: Resigned to one year deal, Top six/third line forward
Tomorrow: Exams on Phil Kessel and Clarke MacArthur
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