Confirmed with Link: The Tiger 2.0 | Lars Eller traded back to Washington from Pittsburgh (for a 3rd in 2027 and a 5th in 2025)

[BallardEra]

I wonder if he plays tomorrow night.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Wouldn’t shock me if Lappy is hurt and lead to the trade

 

[Devil Dancer]

Pretty smart. Acquire Lars for cheap now, fire up the tank and then flip him for a 2nd at the deadline.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I don't mind getting a trade done early. He's new to Carbery's system and having 60+ games to get acclimated is better than 20 games. We've all seen awkward TDL acquisitions that don't really have time to gel.

I prefer getting the trade done now
Get the most value out of those rental draft picks 60 games better than 20

 

[Hivemind]

Andre Burakovsky is in the last year of his contract, too. Just sayin'



(Please don't, he's having a dreadful season so far this year after a dreadful year last season too)

 

[Calicaps]

Pretty smart. Acquire Lars for cheap now, fire up the tank and then flip him for a 2nd at the deadline.

HUH?

 

[Gurglesons]

Pretty smart. Acquire Lars for cheap now, fire up the tank and then flip him for a 2nd at the deadline.

Sounds about in line with the circles you’ve been running around the Pens recently like something that you would actually do.

 

[wickedwitch]

to be fair, this was the same complaint many here had about CMM and even somewhat Pro. And look how that's worked out. I trust the org to develop their guys the right way. I just don't want Lapierre to be on the market (barring a stupid-good offer, of course).

At that point in time, neither CMM nor Pro had had as good as season as Lappy had last year.

I'm fine with Lappy being moved to wing temporarily. I would have been upset had they sent him back to Hershey after less than 20 games.

 

[TRASHCAT]

I mean pens fans say he's good and they have zero incentive to say that

 

[RandyHolt]

We're making a cup run folks.

Lets see what DSP is up too. No, not just weight wise.

 

[RedRocking]

Um, err….wha...who….wait, this…why?

If this doesn’t work, I will blame those here that spoke this into existence. You know who you are.

 

[twabby]

Lets see what DSP is up too. No, not just weight wise.

 

[OV Rocks]

This trade is simple - how can we improve the 3rd line and not f**k up the chemistry in the room.

Bring in a guy whose game and personality you already know vs someone brand new. Hit the ground running.

 

[hb13xchamps]

Lapierre and Vrana rotation and Milano out?

I just don’t see the benefit of sending Lapierre back to Hershey at this point. As a Hershey fan I’d be ecstatic, but as a Caps fan that’s a huge disappointment for a guy who looked really good at the end of last year. He’s also accomplished everything you can in Hershey at this rate.

 

[zappa4ever]

I have impartially evaluated this trade, and I am pleased to give it my official:

View attachment 929740

Welp, we're boned![/Bender]

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Lapierre and Vrana rotation and Milano out?

I just don’t see the benefit of sending Lapierre back to Hershey at this point. As a Hershey fan I’d be ecstatic, but as a Caps fan that’s a huge disappointment for a guy who looked really good at the end of last year. He’s also accomplished everything you can in Hershey at this rate.

Yep this….sending him down would be a waste….he’s outgrown Hershey IMO.

 

[zappa4ever]

I guess, I mean, sure? I dunno? Did we need to make a change so early while we're doing pretty darn-diddily-great?

Lars has been v solid for PIT but seems odd to potentially change the chemistry of the team (even with his history w/us)

So I guess since it's for 2027 futures PIT's officially gassed up the tank and ready to roll (over)

3rd line's getting too crowded now, what's next

 

[Ridley Simon]

good. I always liked Lars. Always. He certainly fills a role that the team needs, and he will blend right in, as others have said.

It’s a long season and the team really needed to tap into their resources for more depth. This does it and truly didn’t cost much at all.

Good on the Caps.

And great on Lars.

 

[Carlzner]

Eh

Okay

Glad they didn’t give up a high pick to plug their biggest hole.

 

[zappa4ever]

Assuming someone's gotta get moved hope it isn't Lapi, rather it's V or Milano

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Injuries WILL happen. We all know Lars can fill in on the top 6 if Strome or PLD gets banged up.
With the team fully healthy its going to be hard to find Lappy playing time.

I tend to agree Lappy has nothing left to gain from going back to Hershey. But that still might be better then spending a week on Nacho Duty before getting 10 mins of sheltered NHL min. I wouldnt mind teaching him all the forward positions to get more chances back in the lineup.

As others have mentioned Lappy played 90+ pro hockey games last season. That doesnt leave much time to work on your strength and skating. 2 things he needs to add. I hope he can use his time on Nacho Duty to get into the weight room and get a NHL body and work with our skating coach to make the same jumps CMM, Protas, and even Fever have made.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Interesting trade proposal from Reddit back in 2022 before Lars was dealt.

This guy wanted to trade Eller, McMichael, and a 1st, plus another pick/prospect for Chychrun. Pittsburgh-esque asset management.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Love Lars. Big upgrade.

 

[43sfriends]

I know you guys remember when Backstrom had the broken hand during the Cup run and Vrana-Eller-Oshie weirdly transformed into the most dominant possession line in hockey..

 

[Langway]

Yep this….sending him down would be a waste….he’s outgrown Hershey IMO.

I think the only main value to keeping Lapierre in DC is if fatigue is the main driver of his issues. A month into the season he's been replaced and there's just one spot open otherwise (with Vrana having some experience with Eller). It doesn't look great for Lapierre. At his peak he may outclass the AHL but I'm not sure he's truly outgrown Hershey overall. He's clearly got better skating than 99% of AHLers but in terms of 1v1 battles he's not a man amongst boys. Even if he finds his game again I'm not sure what sort of role he'd grab with the Caps when they're healthy. He's not a checker. His speed should be helpful when going but the strength limitations and general inability to assert his game led to a pretty quick hook. Sgarbossa arguably playing better than him had to give them some pause.

Just because CMM/Protas have broken out doesn't mean Lapierre eventually will. We'll see. If his future at center is murky there are an awful lot of wingers coming that at least make the match less clear. Bigger picture I don't doubt there are center-needy rebuilding teams that come calling willing to withstand those growing pains. That's not a move they need to rush into unless the player is unhappy but a card they're in position to play at some point if they want to.

Milano being on IR allows them some time before making an assignment decision. Given that they seem content carrying 8D that should mean a subtraction up front and sending Lapierre down is the easiest move to make. Waiving Milano may eventually happen but I'd at least keep Milano around in the hopes he finds his game and can at least become movable. With Sgarbossa faring better than 29 in spot duty and this move I'd be surprised if Lapierre remains on the roster all year. Mostly that's because the team's improved overall pace makes them less thirsty for a somewhat limited but fast player if the overall package isn't cutting it.