Report: Lupul will have independent medical exam to determine status

The Joffrey Lupul health saga took another turn Thursday, as a league source told The Athletic's James Mirtle that the injured forward will undergo an independent medical examination to determine his health status.

Lupul stirred controversy earlier in the week when he posted a comment on his Instagram account calling the Maple Leafs cheaters for the way they utilize the long-term injury reserve designation. He later retracted his comments and apologized in a Twitter statement posted to his official account Wednesday.

In his apology, Lupul also stated that he would not be seeking a second medical opinion.

But, as Mirtle reports, the NHL has apparently decided to step in, and Lupul will undergo an independent evaluation to determine whether he is physically able to compete.

Lupul hasn't played in a regular-season game since February 2016, and was placed on LTIR in July. As a result, his $5.25-million salary for the 2017-18 season won't count against Toronto's cap.