Lupul Leafs MVP?

Many would say the Leafs MVP to this point in the season would obviously go to their most gifted player, Phil Kessel. But if you're a fan who's not just looking at the stats sheet, but has had a chance to watch nearly every game, you might suggest it's not so clear cut.

Just one example from tonight, the games first goal. A soft, and I would say suspect goal, after a turnover in the Leafs zone, early in the first put the Leafs down 1-0 early. This could have been a deflating early deficit. Lupul responded not long after, and finished the night with four points.

Joffrey Lupul, once considered a salary dump in the trade that sent Francois Beauchemin to the Ducks (the trade that also gave the Leafs Jake Gardiner), has managed to surprise everyone by keeping pace w/ the teams "franchise forward", Kessel.  And in doing so, has also managed to be the leagues most consistent forward, managing at least a point in 31 of his 39 games played.

Part of what makes Lupul such an important player, and has kept him consistent this season, has been his play around, and in front of the net. For a team that has always looked for that player to stand in front, take a beating, and work for the tip in, Lupul has been the teams best player at doing so. He also can be credited w/ doing much of the yeomans work on the first line, which has seen either Tyler Bozak or, Tim Connolly as it's center. Many of that line (and Kessels) goals have come off of hard work done by the Fort Saskatchewan native.

Now I won't argue Lupul is the Leafs best player. At least not from an overall skill point of view. But, he definitely has been the Leafs most consistent player and, perhaps the teams hardest worker. And I am confident to say, the Leafs MVP to date.