Team 1260 Radio in Edmonton reported yesterday that Flyers right winger Joffrey Lupul has agreed to a four-year extension with the club, to be announced Monday. The report has been picked up by
TSN and other outlets. The Flyers have not yet confirmed the report.
The deal, which supposedly pays $4.25 million per season, would pre-empt Lupul from becoming a free agent after the 2008-09 season.
After struggling in Edmonton, Lupul had a strong first half the 2007-08 season for the Flyers. A bruised spine and concussion suffered in a January 5 collision with Derian Hatcher and a high ankle sprain sustained on February 9 caused him to miss significant time in the second half. Lupul scored the series winning goal in overtime in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against Washington, but played inconsistently overall during the postseason.
When Lupul used both his speed and strength, he's very effective. When he overrelies on finesse and his heavy shot alone, he disappears. Even in the first half of last season, he showed some the streakiness that had marked his prior seasons. But at age 25 (his birthday is on September 23), he should now be hitting his prime.
A look inside the numbers of his 2007-08 season:
Regular season
First 16 GP: 6 G, 9 A, 14 PTS, 3 PPG
Next 11 GP: 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS, 0 PPG
Next 9 GP: 10 G, 8 A, 18 PTS, 4 PPG (two hat tricks in one week)
Next 3 GP: 0 PTS (injured vs Toronto 1-15-08, returned 2-9-08)
Next 5 GP: 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS, 0 PPG (injured vs Montreal 2-16-08, returned 3-12-08)
Final 12 GP: 2 G, 5 G, 7 PTS, 0 OPPG
Playoffs
vs. Wash: 7 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS, -1, 1 PPG
vs. Mont: 5 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS, +1, 1 PPG
vs. Pitt: 5 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS, +1, 0 PPG
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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