Lupul feeling like new again

By ED BARKOWITZ
Philadelphia Daily News

Posted on Fri, Oct. 19, 2007

Last season was a disaster. It was filled with expectations that never materialized. The home folks were not happy.

This is not a regurgitation of the Flyers' 2006-07 season, but of Joffrey Lupul's year in Edmonton.

Lupul, the hotshot youngster who was coming off a career season, was acquired by Edmonton as part of the deal that sent Chris Pronger to Anaheim. While Pronger was helping the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup, Lupul was struggling.

Playing for Edmonton, his hometown team, just never worked out. He got a new start a continent away when the Flyers traded Joni Pitkanen to Edmonton for Lupul and Jason Smith on July 1. Lupul, so far, feels reborn.

"It's been a nice transition," Lupul said. "The coaches have put a lot of faith in me; given me a lot of ice time and opportunity. I'm playing well with Mike Richards [and R.J. Umberger]. We're playing really good hockey and we're just having a lot of fun right now."

Lupul came into last night leading the team with five assists, then added his second goal of the season in the 4-0 win over the Devils. In the year before last, with Anaheim, he had 28 goals and 25 assists. Those numbers were nearly halved to 16 and 12, respectively, last season.

"Last year was just one year and it's over," he said. "I'm kind of out to prove that was just a fluke. Our team had a poor year, not unlike the Flyers did. I'm just out to prove that's not the type of player I am. I gained a lot of good experience despite how bad of a season it was for me personally and for the team. But there are a lot of good things you can take from an experience like that."

Lupul grew up in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and was the local kid in a town that goes absolutely nuts over its hockey team. His attitude when he joined the Flyers made an impression on coach John Stevens.

"He came in Day 1 and didn't beat around the bush about last year," Stevens said. "He took full responsibility, said he had to be a better player. He went about his business of getting prepared for this year and he's been a very good player from Day 1 of training camp. He's a big guy. He skates well. He's a guy who can play in all situations, and has."

Lupul is adjusting to East Coast life just fine. He loves the comparatively easy travel schedule teams in the east enjoy and likes what he's seen of the city.

"I love Philadelphia," said Lupul, 24. "I live downtown in Old City. There's a lot going on down there, lots of nice restaurants, good for people-watching. It's a lot different than Edmonton, where people are just locked inside because it's so cold."