Getty Images Joffrey Lupul has been given the green light to play for the KHL’s Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg despite some initial hurdles, according to R-Sport.
Lupul confirmed the signing on Tuesday, but he wasn’t eligible to join the KHL due to the rules the league implemented back in September.
In the end, Lupul will get to play in the KHL, but he’ll be joining a squad has no other NHL players and ranks dead last in the KHL with just 15 points in 23 games.
So why has Lupul agreed to play for such a dreadful team? No, it’s not because his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs has made him more sympathetic to their plight. The answer is actually pretty simple: Most of the good teams were taken.
As Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin recently pointed out to R-Sport, most of the top-tier teams have already reached their limit of three locked-out players. So for guys like Lupul that have waited to sign with a KHL squad, they’ll have to settle for one of the remaining openings.
Of course, regardless of what team Lupul is on, this signing will give him the opportunity to play in the KHL and shake off the rust so that he’s in a better position if the lockout ends in time to salvage the 2012-13 season.
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Now, that’s a toe-drag.
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Was Friday’s loss his last NHL games?
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Pittsburgh wins in five games.
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Bad blood, although this seemed unnecessary.
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Report: NHL to present Glendale with Coyotes ownership plan next week
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Big developments coming out of the desert.
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Await winner of Boston-New York.
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One-year, one-way.
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L.A. can move to conference final with a win over the Sharks in Game 6.
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Not speaking about Bobrovsky, but in general.
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You be the judge.
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Phantom call?
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Including one of his coaching rivals from the QMJHL.
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AP
Dan Bylsma sticking with the same lineup.
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Kevin Prendergast (pictured) and longtime NHL netminder Ron Tugnutt were let go.
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AP
“The NHL remains committed to securing the Coyotes’ future in Glendale under new ownership, and we believe Don’s long-term agreement evidences that he is equally committed,” said the deputy commish.
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McLellan: Burish ‘very close,’ could be in Sharks lineup for Game 6
May 24, 2013, 4:28 PM EDT
He’s missed the entire series with a broken hand.
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Craig MacTavish has a few things he’d like in return.
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AP
“Hopefully, we’ll find that chemistry,” says Spezza.
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Preds continue to shake up staff, fire head athletic trainer
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Just a few days after turfing assistant coach Peter Horachek.
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Aside from, you know, facing elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Video: Highlights: Penguins crush Senators to move on
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Video: Neil hits Murray below the belt
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