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Change In Expansion Parameters Could Alter Lupul's Future

June 2, 2016, 11:42 PM ET [843 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The NHL Board of Governors is expected to make a decision regarding expansion on or before June 22nd. It is almost certain that the league will announce the entry of a franchise in Las Vegas and possibly Quebec City for the 2017-18 season.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicated at a press conference in Pittsburgh prior to the start of the Stanley Cup Final that the parameters for an expansion draft may change slightly from those that were revealed in March.

Players with no-movement clauses in their contracts may have to be included on the protection list of seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or eight skaters and one goalie, while exposing at least 25% of a team roster's payroll has been dropped all together.

The salary component of exposing players to the expansion draft could affect the future of winger Joffrey Lupul in Toronto. The 32-year-old winger is currently the highest salaried active forward on the team with two seasons remaining.

Had the 25% payroll clause remained as part of the expansion perimeters, keeping Lupul another season and exposing his $5.25 Million salary next summer would have made some sense, but with that not the case, the odds of a buyout have increased.

Lupul scored 11 goals and three assists in 46 games before undergoing season-ending sports hernia surgery in March. Toronto tried in vain to move the veteran forward before the trade deadline last season, but his chronic injury problems and contract made it impossible.

The winger's $5.25 Million cap hit will be nearly impossible to trade with the league's salary cap remaining at $71.4 Million or going up slightly, unless GM Lou Lamoriello takes a big salary back in return as Toronto did in the Dion Phaneuf, James Reimer and Daniel Winnik deals.

Lupul has $9 Million in remaining salary over the remaining two seasons, which would mean that a buyout would have a cap hit of $1.5 Million for the next four seasons.

The off-season surgery is something that could complicate matters if the Leafs decide to go the buyout route. Lupul would have to be medically cleared before it could take place and the buyout window occurs between the NHL Draft and July 1.

There is a second window in August for teams who have players who go to salary arbitration and if the Leafs qualify, that may be when the club and the veteran winger part ways.

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