#15 Joffrey Lupul and #17 Jeff Carter

#15 Joffrey Lupul

If you liked Robin Hood (I'm talking cartoon, Costner, or in tights) than you might pick up on what Joffrey Lupul is putting down. This year he'll be stealing from himself and giving it to the poor. Lupul has committed to donating $100 a goal to KidSport, a Saskatchewan based charity (run by his mom) devoted to giving underprivileged kids (like Glen Metropolit) a chance to play hockey. KidSport's total take was only $10,000 last year so Lupul's hopefully $3,000 contribution will be great for them. But I can't help thinking, and I'm assuming it's because KidSport couldn't handle much more money without some stronger infrastructure in place, but couldn't the guy who just signed a $17 Million contract and has a career high of 28 goals give a bit more? Maybe he needs to save up that money to spend on this chick. (Close to NSFW. Just how close... you're going to have to decide.)

If you've become a Scottie Upshall fan since Monday you'll love Joffrey Lupul. Lupul was picked 7th overall in the 2002 draft, right behind Scottie Upshall. Lups has 161 NHL points compared to Upshall's 72. He has speed just like Scottie but is a much smoother skater and a natural scorer. He had 28 goals his rookie year and then 16 during his sophomore slump in Edmonton which enabled us to get him for 52 year old Geoff Sanderson on the cheap. If Derian Hatcher wasn't a color blind killing machine Lupul would have given that career high 28 goals a run for its money.

If your one of those people that commented on his girlfriend in the forum that was linked to above then you probably agree that signing Lupul for 4 years has both a huge possible upside and downside. He could be a 40 goal scorer playing with an Adam Oates or a Craig Janney. He could also be an injury plagued bust who steals money from us for 4 years - aka Mike Rathje. I really think it ill be the former. This will be his fourth year in the league and he's going to be coming in with all sorts of confidence stemming from that huge contract. He doesn't have to be afraid of being traded and can settle into the city and the system...and win us as many overtime games as he'd like this season.

#17 Jeff Carter

Are you a fan of New Year's Eve? I thought so. Jeff Carter was born on January 1, 1985. He was also on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL (with Matt Herneisen) when former Flyer John Vanbeisbrouck dropped the N bomb. He's also won a Gold Medal (at the World Junior Championships). Plus he's the namesake of this guy. My point is he's cool. And you're not if you don't want to party with him.

If you were a fan of the Flyers Rod Brind'Amour than you can easily become a fan of the less gritty version of him - Jeff Carter. Carter has shown steady improvement over the last three seasons, finishing up last year with 29 goals and 24 assists. He played well and notched 11 points in the Flyers 17 game playoff run. On top of all that he beat up 6'5 Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney. Carter has been consistent and improved in each of his first three seasons with the Flyers. Last year when the Flyers desperately needed a hero after losing leading scorer and unofficial leader Mike Richards, Carter obliged. He stepped up his game and at times seemed to singlehandedly earn the Flyers wins.

If you've crossed out all the last names in your corporate directory and replaced them with Carter, like I have, you understand that Jeff has a lot to prove after garnering a 3 year $15 M contract this summer. Carter is a third line center, on the Flyers at least, earning the 25th highest salary in 2008-09 for a center in the NHL. Do the math - most teams' third line centers will be falling in the 60th -90th section of that category. Simply placing a sniper on his wing could get his assists alone from 24 to 50 this season. Regardless of what happens with his linemates, if he's earning that kind of money he's going to have to continue doing the little things right while increasing those point totals as well. And a rematch with Whitney wouldn't hurt either.