2002 NHL Entry Draft

JOFFREY LUPUL

ANAHEIM • ROUND: 1 OVERALL: 7

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Previous Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Pre-Draft Rankings

NHL Central Scouting: 4  Midterm Rank: 6

The Hockey News: 6    Red Line Report: 11

Vital Statistics

Position: C/RW • Height: 6-1 • Weight: 194 • Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Sept. 23, 1983 • Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Pre-Draft Notes

Central Scouting Report: A deceptive skater with quick acceleration ... is very well-balanced with good agility ... possesses excellent puck-handling skills and works well in heavy traffic ... has exceptional hockey sense and vision ... an unselfish playmaker and a constant offensive threat ... a natural goal-scorer with excellent offensive instincts ... has an accurate wrist shot ... is able to play all three forward positions ... a tough competitor who works well in the corners and along the boards ... is used in all game situations ... adept at creating offensive chances in shorthanded situations ... will sacrifice himself to make the play.

THN Draft Preview: Given how scoring is at a premium in the NHL, Joffrey Lupul has it made. What makes Lupul attractive might have something to do with the comparisons to Mike Bossy, one of the greatest natural scorers in NHL history. Lupul has excellent puck-handling skills and exceptional sense and vision. He also has grit, which bodes well for his mental well-being. He can and will take care of himself on the ice. And he can play all three forward positions. As for minuses, there aren't many.

Red Line Report: A goal-scoring machine this season, though he has struggled at times with inconsistency. A sniper who can score in a variety of ways. Lupul goes hard to the net and likes to play in high traffic areas. He's a crisp passer who hits teammates in full stride with tape-to-tape passes. Has good vision and hockey sense and is very dangerous in the offensive zone. He finds open ice well and has a quick release. Stickhandles well in tight quarters. Has an awkward stride, but good straight-away speed. Needs to get stronger and become more consistent in order to succeed at the next level. One of the most pleasant surprises in the west this year.
Projection: 2nd-line scorer for upper-echelon team. Style compares to Mark Parrish.

Pre-Draft Quotes

Joffrey is a quality person, a very mature young man and a good student of the game. He understands the offensive side of the game real well, has tremendous vision at the net and a great release. Joffrey has the desire needed to play at the next level.

-- Rick Carriere, General Manager, Medicine Hat Tigers

Joffrey possesses great skill, fast hands, and can score in a great variety of ways: wrist shot, snap, slap shot, backhand, or deke. He reads the offensive game extremely well, he's excellent on the power play, but also very strong on the penalty kill, too. His anticipation is very good; he's a very good skater with excellent acceleration and top-end speed; passes the puck exceptionally well and uses his teammates well. He's very well-rounded. And added bonus is he's a strong competitor who hates to lose and a good team leader.

-- Bob Loucks, Head Coach, Medicine Hat Tigers

He is a goal scorer. That is who he is and that is what he does.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview

He'll score at every level he plays because he has a knack. He is a real talent. He has great hands and will play in traffic. He competes and is not afraid to go right into the heart of it to get the puck. And he has a great stick. I just think he's a natural scorer.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview

He will have to learn how to play his position much better. And his skating is just adequate.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview