HEY, JOFFREY…S-H-U-T U-P!

Let me see if I’ve got this straight, Joffrey Lupul. You have played a grand total of 41 shifts and just over 33 minutes in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform and you are already shooting off your mouth about how other players in the NHL should play. Is that right? After a fight on Saturday night with Canadiens’ rookie defenceman PK Subban, you weren’t happy when PK didn’t remove his helmet in a timely fashion. “It’s a pretty standard move when you both have visors on to take them off and go,” you said. Here’s a good idea, Joffrey…perhaps you might want to shut up!

Listen, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s admirable that you dropped ’em with PK. It’s a perfect way to show your Leafs’ teammates that you are here to do whatever it takes. Great. But when some kid doesn’t do what you think he should on the ice, forget about it! What you should be worrying about is how to take that gross underachievement you are calling your NHL career and getting it back on track.

You were chosen seventh overall in 2002. That’s nine years ago, buddy! And, in your seven full NHL seasons (injuries aside), you have yet to score 30 goals or even 60 points. And you’re telling other guys what to do on the ice?

I understand that old PK has said and done a few things, over the years, that you “veterans” find a tad controversial. Tough. The kid can do whatever he wants. Next time you guys play Montreal, on February 24th at Bell Centre, if you want to grab number 76 and remove his helmet with your fist, go right ahead.

If you want to casually put your arm around him during warm-up and quietly ask, “Excuse me, my friend, but the next time we go toe-to-toe, would you mind removing your visored headgear concurrently with my removal?” that would be fine. But this whining after the game about something some kid did, while you and the other 11 forwards wearing blue and white couldn’t even squeeze one past Carey Price, looks
juvenile.

Maybe just let your stick do your talking, Joffrey. Maybe work your a** off and let the chips fall where they may. Maybe pull yourself out of your take-the-money-and-run, seven-year funk you’ve been in.

But, while your considering doing all that, shut your mouth!