Joffrey Lupul breaks right hand after falling at Leafs practice
Oft-injured Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul couldn’t escape the first month of the NHL season without a serious ailment.
Lupul reportedly stepped on a stick at Thursday’s practice and fell, breaking his right hand, but was able to complete the workout.
The 31-year-old left-winger was hoping to play but the pain got progressively worse and an x-ray was taken when the team arrived in Columbus for Friday’s game against the Blue Jackets. That’s when the fracture was discovered.
Matt Frattin took Lupul’s spot in the lineup in Columbus.
Lupul hasn't had much luck in the injury department, having missed 167 games because of various ailments in the past six-plus seasons.
- 2013-14 – Sat out with injuries to groin, (seven games), knee (three), foot (two) and lower-body (one).
- 2012-13 - Out for 25 games with a broken forearm.
- 2011-12 - Missed final 16 games with shoulder separation.
- 2010-11 - Out 28 more due to more recovery from back surgery.
- 2009-10 - Missed 59 games because of back surgery.
- 2008-09 - Lupul was healthy.
- 2007-08 - Out 14 games with a concussion, 12 more games with a right ankle sprain.
Before Friday, Lupul had played in each of Toronto’s nine games this season and scored two goals and three points.
