Straight Talk From Joffrey Lupul

 

It is a rare thing, but every so often an NHL player will move beyond banalities and say something interesting. Usually it is not a particularly good thing for the player involved.

I think Joffrey Lupul’s comments to Mike Brophy on line-mate Phil Kessel qualify on both counts.

The article, titled “Lupul sets a high standard,” features Lupul, Kessel and head coach Ron Wilson discussing the role of the players on the Leafs’ top line. For the most part, it’s a fairly standard piece – Kessel’s numbers are going to be used by many as a gauge for the line’s success, individual scoring numbers don’t matter as long as the team is winning, that sort of thing. Late in the piece, though, Lupul compares Kessel to ex-Flyers teammate Mike Richards. It’s a comment worth quoting in full:

On the plus side, Lupul calls Kessel “dynamic.” On the negative side, he comes pretty close to saying that Kessel’s a one-trick pony, strongly implying that he doesn’t play “both ends of the rink” and that if he isn’t scoring, he’s not doing much of anything. If Richards isn’t scoring, “he’s still killing penalties and blocking shots and stuff.” If Kessel’s not scoring, “people aren’t happy.”

I can’t seem to find any other way to read that comment.  Lupul’s contrasting the two players, and doing so in a way that makes it pretty clear that Richards’ game is a lot more complete than Kessel’s.

I’m not sure those comments are entirely unfair. Richards plays in more diverse situations and certainly takes on more defensive responsibility than Kessel. They play different roles, and there’s more value beyond the counting numbers in Richards’ role than there is in Kessel’s.

On the other hand, were I Phil Kessel I doubt I’d be thrilled that my line-mate felt the need to point out the somewhat one-dimensional nature of my game.