Anaheim Ducks winger Joffrey Lupul has been assigned to Syracuse of the AHL on a long-term injury conditioning loan.
Under this scenario, Lupul can play up to three AHL games. After the three games, the Ducks can either recall Lupul to the NHL or apply for a two-game AHL extension. He is expected to play for Syracuse today at Toronto (3:00 ET, Leafs TV, ahllive.com).
Lupul hasn’t played in a game since last Dec. 8, when he had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back and developed complications. He has been skating with the Ducks for the last three weeks.
He told reporters earlier in the week, “I’m going to keep taking it day by day, but I’ve had no real setbacks. I feel good. I feel strong. I’m definitely on pace to jump back in whenever we decide that day is.”
Lupul last played in the AHL as a first-year pro with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks during the 2004-05 season, recording 30 goals and 26 assists for 56 points in 65 games.
The seventh overall pick in the 2002 NHL draft, Lupul has registered 112 goals and 113 assists for 225 points in 395 NHL games with Anaheim, Philadelphia and Edmonton.
