TORONTO — The NHL reportedly plans to have an independent doctor assess the health of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul.
Lupul will undergo an independent exam to determine if he is healthy enough to play this season, according to multiple reports on Thursday.
Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said last week that the 33-year-old forward failed his team medical on the opening day of training camp for the second season in a row.
But Lupul caused a buzz on Sunday when he posted a picture on his Instagram account of what appears to be him snowboarding, with a comment saying: "Haha failed physical? They cheat, everyone lets them."
He added that he is "ready (and) just awaiting the call."
Lupul deleted the comments soon after posting them.
He followed up his comments on Wednesday with an apology and said he would not be seeking a second opinion.
Lupul missed the last 31 games of the 2015-16 season after undergoing sports hernia surgery and hasn't played an NHL game since.
The Canadian Press