Lupul Tries to Make Up for a Lost Opportunity

The last hockey season for Joffrey Lupul was one he didn’t quite imagine.

One of the few bright spots in the Mighty Ducks’ dismal 2003-04 season, Lupul appeared to be on a fast track but the NHL canceled last season and the 22-year-old forward was relegated to playing at the club’s minor league affiliate in Cincinnati.

Lupul, the Ducks’ 2002 first-round pick, had a team-leading 30 goals and 56 points but also sat out a month because of a concussion. Even though he finished strongly to lift Cincinnati into the American Hockey League playoffs, Lupul said he thought the lockout hampered his development.

“You always want to play at the highest level,” said Lupul, who scored 13 goals for the Ducks in 2003-04. “That wasn’t an option last year. I find myself improving most when I’m playing with guys that are better players than me right now.”

Lupul has been playing alongside center Rob Niedermayer and left wing Petr Sykora on the second line throughout camp. Duck Coach Randy Carlyle saw the right wing play while he coached the AHL’s Manitoba Moose last season and has noticed a change in camp.

“In the situation he was in back in Cincinnati, he didn’t play anywhere near to his potential,” Carlyle said. “I see a big difference in him.”

That potential is unlimited. General Manager Brian Burke envisions Lupul as a first-line sniper as he matures.

“I think he’s a natural goal scorer,” Burke said. “He had a great second half last year.”

Now back in the NHL, Lupul is eager to make a bigger impact. He scored his first exhibition goal in the Ducks’ 5-3 win over Phoenix on Friday.

“I’m still at the point where I’ve got to prove myself every time I go out on the ice,” he said.

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Chris Kunitz scored three goals but the Ducks fell to the host San Jose Sharks, 6-5, in an exhibition.

The Sharks scored on four of 12 power plays. The Ducks scored three goals in the third period.

San Jose’s Vesa Toskala stopped 27 of 32 shots.