Joffrey Lupul ~ This decades Gary Roberts?

[Warden of the North]

Lately I've been thinking that Lupul has an effect on the team similar to the effect that Roberts had on our team a decade ago.

Obviously Roberts played more of a power forward role, but the timeliness of Lupul's goals, his ability to grab the team by its throat and seemingly force a victory when its needed is very similar.

Roberts also was the perfect alternate Captain for Mats. Where as Mats was mild mannered (publicly at least) Roberts was very in your face. Dion and Lupul are very different personalities, which both influence the team in major ways. A guy like Lupul is the perfect A for Dion, IMO.

In the playoffs Roberts was an absolute warrior. He single handedly terrorized the whole city of Ottawa in multiple playoff series. Im of the mind Lupul can have a similar effect in the playoffs.

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[DD03]

Let's just hope we have him for the playoffs. He looked like Sami Kapanen at the bench last night.

 

[Porn*]

decent comparison...but i pray he's ok.

why can't the league be tougher on 4th line nothings who have intent to injure??

 

[Derrty]

Gary Roberts invented the hamburger by throwing a cow at a chain link fence.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Not sure I see too many comparisons especially since we don't know what Joffrey is capable of in the playoffs. Roberts was one of my favorite players to ever play for this team and if Lupes can be that kind of leader and clutch performer, hey, I'm all for it. One thing both guys have in common however is the fact that both guys had major,major injuries that threatened their careers and both have been able to come back and perform well.

 

[thewave]

Comsidering my old fav player was Gary Roberts and my new Fav playerf is Lupul and that I like a certain quality of person. I see it! not Gary but next best thing for sure

 

[Mess]

While Lupul will never be confused with Roberts as a player in style, he certainly deserves recognition by taking the team on his shoulders and carrying them much like Roberts did in the past.

 

[Al14]

I don't remember Roberts getting injured every other game. lol

 

[PugFugly]

Not sure I see too many comparisons especially since we don't know what Joffrey is capable of in the playoffs. Roberts was one of my favorite players to ever play for this team and if Lupes can be that kind of leader and clutch performer, hey, I'm all for it. One thing both guys have in common however is the fact that both guys had major,major injuries that threatened their careers and both have been able to come back and perform well.

You're right -- We have no idea.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

We should sit him until the playoffs

 

[PugFugly]

I don't remember Roberts getting injured every other game. lol

He missed 91 out of a possible 328 games during his 4 year tenure here (68 of which came in the 2002-2003 season).

 

[Al14]

He missed 91 out of a possible 328 games during his 4 year tenure here (68 of which came in the 2002-2003 season).

Ok, I remember now.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Gary Roberts was a monster player with us, he carried the team against the NY Isles and Ottawa during one of our better playoff runs when Sundin was down.

I don't see the resemblance in player in Lupul, but as a positive effect on the team, I can see the resemblance in effects they have on our team.

 

[Anthrax442]

He is a force, but Roberts was a different kind of a beast.

 

[pcruz]

I have mentioned this a few times in the past as well. Lupul is not a premier scorer, not a premier passer, doesn't rack up the points on a consistent basis to garner the fear from the opposition. However, putting him with someone who can draw that attention on the ice opens him up to putting up some good numbers.

Roberts was the guy I followed most in the early 2000's. The only hockey jersey I own is a Roberts jersey. I loved Mats, thought he was a certain Hall of Famer, had no question he was the on ice leader, best and most skilled player. Roberts had that one other thing that only Tucker had on that team. He would skate through barbed wire to make a hit and create a turnover.

I think that if Lupul can end his career imitating Roberts, then he can hang his head high an puff up his chest. Somehow, I see that comparison closer and closer to being proper.

 

[King Mapes]

It's funny because honestly I was thinking this the other day

 

[The Blue Devil]

I have mentioned this a few times in the past as well. Lupul is not a premier scorer, not a premier passer, doesn't rack up the points on a consistent basis to garner the fear from the opposition. However, putting him with someone who can draw that attention on the ice opens him up to putting up some good numbers.

Roberts was the guy I followed most in the early 2000's. The only hockey jersey I own is a Roberts jersey. I loved Mats, thought he was a certain Hall of Famer, had no question he was the on ice leader, best and most skilled player. Roberts had that one other thing that only Tucker had on that team. He would skate through barbed wire to make a hit and create a turnover.

I think that if Lupul can end his career imitating Roberts, then he can hang his head high an puff up his chest. Somehow, I see that comparison closer and closer to being proper.

Excuse me? He's done nothing but that since joining the Leafs(figure of speech, he's done a lot more obviously).

 

[Saul Goodman]

not even maybe.

lupul has been great when healthy and arguably our most consistent player, but lets not get carried away here.

 

[Phatic]

I have mentioned this a few times in the past as well. Lupul is not a premier scorer, not a premier passer, doesn't rack up the points on a consistent basis to garner the fear from the opposition. However, putting him with someone who can draw that attention on the ice opens him up to putting up some good numbers.

Roberts was the guy I followed most in the early 2000's. The only hockey jersey I own is a Roberts jersey. I loved Mats, thought he was a certain Hall of Famer, had no question he was the on ice leader, best and most skilled player. Roberts had that one other thing that only Tucker had on that team. He would skate through barbed wire to make a hit and create a turnover.

I think that if Lupul can end his career imitating Roberts, then he can hang his head high an puff up his chest. Somehow, I see that comparison closer and closer to being proper.

did you even bother to check his stat line before making this comment? i only ask because he's over a PPG with us over the last two seasons.

edit: thought i should elaborate after doing some math: lupul, based on projected numbers, would have ~ 29g 51pts in the 37 games the leafs have played thus far. in other words, he'd be 2nd to crosby in pt production. if you could kindly define premier for me now that would be appreciated?

 

[Doug Gilmour]

You're right -- We have no idea.

But we don't have Dustin Penner No but seriously, I completely agree with the comparison with Gary Roberts in terms of leadership. Lupul is a warrior and is a keeper regardless of injuries. He brings grit, scoring, and leadership to the team that we haven't had since we last made the playoffs pre-lockout 04-05.