Joffrey Lupul said the decision to sign a contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs was an easy one.
"I just didn't really envision myself playing anywhere else right now," said Lupul. "And that made it pretty easy for me."
Lupul's extension could keep him with the Leafs until the 2017-2018 season. He will be 35 by the time the deal - worth $5.25 million - comes to an end.
"I've been happy here," added the Leafs forward. "I've had success here and I really enjoy the city. the next step is getting the team into the playoffs and back where it should be. That's the goal here and if I didn't think that was possible, I wouldn't have signed here. We have a lot of potential here to get things turned around."
Lupul is coming off a season in which he had career-highs in assists (42) and points (67) despite missing the final 16 games with a shoulder injury.
Lupul joins Mikhail Grabovski and James van Riemsdyk as Maple Leafs signed under contract through at least the 2016-17 season. It seems General Manager Dave Nonis veiws these three players as key ones going forward.
"There's always a risk when you sign a player to more than one year," said Nonis. "But his age isn't a factor at all. In fact, he's been getting better as he's been getting a little older."
Lupul lost a year of his career due to back surgery and infections that followed. It looked like his career was over, but a move to Toronto has given him new life and he has taken advantage.
"It's good the team realizes that's behind me," said Lupul. "I really had one bad injury, that was supposed to be a six week injury that turned into a one year injury. A lot of poeple say I've had a lot of injuries and really it's just been two. Since I've come back from my back injury I haven't missed one game because of that."
"He's a much different player now than he was then," said coach Randy Carlyle, Lupul's coach during a difficult time in Anaheim. "I didn't give him the right situation or put him in the right situation. He's a much more complete hockey player than he was 5 or years ago. I think Lupes has shown a tremendous amount of leadership and a lot of courage and grit and determination to get where he is."
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Jake Gardiner wasn't happy about having to miss the season opener in Montreal.
"It stunk,"said the defenceman. "Opening night is always fun."
But it was necessary, as Gardiner continues to recover from a concussion. He is feeling better and is expected to go "full out" in practise on Tuesday and go from there.
"I told them I'm pretty much ready to go," said Gardiner. "It is the coaches decision."
Gardiner suffered a concussion while playing in the American Hockey League for the Toronto Marlies last month.
"It was kind of a roller coaster," said the 22 year-old. "It's tough sitting out but we are just being pretty cautious. I feel good now and I'm ready to go."
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