Fantasy Spin: Lupul sidelined for six weeks

Last season Joffrey Lupul had a breakout fantasy season, finishing the year with 25 goals, 67 points, a plus-one, 48 penalty minutes, 21 power play points and 191 shots on goal. This year, things aren't going quite as well.

Lupul was held without a point his first two contests and then on Wednesday night he suffered a broken right forearm after his teammate Dion Phaneuf's shot struck him while camped out in front of the net. This is a rough loss for Lupul fantasy owners, as six weeks in this 48-game schedule is extremely costly.

While Matt Frattin is expected to be called up to replace Lupul's roster spot, Clarke MacArthur could be the player to see an increased fantasy role for the six weeks. If last night is a sign of things to come, MacArthur will be slated on the top line alongside Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak.

In three games this season, MacArthur has one goal, one assist, a minus-one, two penalty minutes, one power play point and 12 shots on goal (last season he had 20 G, 23 A, plus-3, 37 PIMs, 9 PPP, 148 SOG). Don't expect MacArthur to produce at a level like Lupul did last season, but playing alongside Kessel could make him a nice stop-gap for the six weeks -- he's available in 89 percent of Yahoo! Leagues.

If you're seeking a replacement outside of the Leafs roster, look into Flames forward Curtis Glencross. Glencross is currently available in 86 percent of Yahoo! Leagues and is playing on the team's top line with Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay. The Calgary left wing has recorded two goals and two assists in his first three games this season after posting 26 goals and 48 points in just 67 games last year. Glencross is also receiving 3:23 of power play ice time per game and 21:30 of total ice time, showing that the Flames' organization clearly trusts him.

Most of us were well aware of Lupul's injury history, but to have such a devastating injury come just three games into the 2012-13 season has certainly caught a lot of us by surprise. Whether you go with MacArthur, Glencross or someone else as his replacement, the loss of Lupul is definitely a tough one for his owners.