I hope you are all enjoying a nice summer weekend. We know Joffrey Lupul sure is.

🎾

A post shared by Joffrey Lupul (@jlupul) on

That’s my yacht in the background. The really big one.

Of course, playing tennis isn’t exactly the same as playing hockey, though it seems to be a popular activity among the players in the off-season. The photo of a jumping shirtless Lupul hammering back a serve begs the question: is he going to be medically cleared for hockey by the Maple Leafs?

I think he’s ready to go, and I think he’s pretty excited about the  season. What happens is ultimately their decision. We just play hockey.

No. That’s not new news. That’s what Kadri said in September 2016, and that was already six months after Lupul’s most recent game.

Lupul continues to subtly imply there’s nothing wrong with him physically via his Instagram account. I suspect we’ll either finally learn what is happening this September, or we’ll never know and he will fade into the hockey history books when his contract winds up after the 2017-18 season.

At least we have that nice photo of him from the one season he played with the Sprockets Oilers. Who even remembers those third jerseys?

ICYMI

Our Top 25 rolled on this week.

2017 Top 25 Under 25: Andreas Borgman is 16th - Katya
He’s new, he’s largely unknown, but he made the middle of the rankings.

2017 Top 25 Under 25 recap: #20-16

Other News

It’s Canada vs. Czechia at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament today at 11:00 am EDT.

NHL will ‘reassess’ hosting draft in Dallas if Texas passes anti-LGBTQ bill - SBNation
The NHL could follow the NBA’s route by relocating the game if Texas passes an anti-LGBTQ "bathroom bill" currently in the state’s legislature.

Party like it’s 2013: Bruins should sign Jagr - Stanley Cup of Chowder
Maybe it doesn’t make a ton of sense to sign Jaromir Jagr. But come on: it would be fun.

Hockey East Recruiting: ‘01s and ‘02s Going Quickly - SB Nation College Hockey
In the crazy world of college hockey recruiting, prospects are committing at a younger age than ever before.

Avalanche ownership group expands into eSports - Mile High Hockey
Stan and Josh Kroenke will add an LA-based Overwatch team to their growing sports empire.

Shapovalov marches into Rogers Cup semifinals - The Star
Toronto teen adds Adrian Mannarino to list of Masters Series victims, will face No. 4 Alexander Zverev in Saturday  semis.

Where will Joffrey Lupul play this season?

He’s fine and he’ll be back with the Leafs.152
He’ll “play” for the Golden Knights or the Coyotes.415
On a tennis court in Italy.676
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, on EA Sports NHL 2017.222
From The Branches