Maple Leafs' Joffrey Lupul: Bright lights of Vegas beckon

Lupul was left unprotected by the Maple Leafs for the upcoming expansion draft, despite missing the entire season to injury. All other NHL players who missed the whole season because of injury were ruled ineligible for the draft, reports the Toronto Star.

"None of the draft exemptions were automatic," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "Each were evaluated on a case-by-case basis. That includes Lupul." So, that means one of two things. Either Loops believes he's healthy enough to play or Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello has a deal with Vegas GM George McPhee to take Lupul and stay away from someone like Kerby Rychel or Brendan Leipsic. The Leafs would need to sweeten the deal for the Knights to take Lupul's $5.25 million deal off their hands. But that contract would certainly help them reach the cap floor of $55.4 million.