Confirmed Trade: [WSH/PIT] Lars Eller for 2027 3rd round pick and 2025 CHI 5th round pick

[Empoleon8771]

It all depends on needs and fit but Eller types have way more universal appeal at the deadline than Roslovic types. It’s fun that Roslovic has found a neat fit as an offensive depth winger on Carolina shooting 24%, as he has done in other short stretches over his career. But I guarantee you the Eller prototype of veteran center is more sought by contenders.

This is definitely true, but you also have a bunch of examples of guys like Eller bringing back effectively this. Teddy Blueger was moved to Vegas in 2023 and brought back a 3rd.

I think decent 3Cs/great 4Cs just have this kind of value. I think you could argue that they could have gotten a 2027 2nd instead of a 2027 3rd and 2025 5th, but at that point, is it even worth debating about the value there? The difference is pretty negligible.

 

[VanillaCoke]

Good trade for Washington, solid depth for cheap.

 

[BKarchitect]

This is definitely true, but you also have a bunch of examples of guys like Eller bringing back effectively this. Teddy Blueger was moved to Vegas in 2023 and brought back a 3rd.

I think decent 3Cs/great 4Cs just have this kind of value. I think you could argue that they could have gotten a 2027 2nd instead of a 2027 3rd and 2025 5th, but at that point, is it even worth debating about the value there? The difference is pretty negligible.

Sure, I don’t think this is some horrible value for the Pens. No point in waiting really to begin the clear out. Do think it would’ve felt nicer had the 3rd been in a draft closer than 2027. But…the Caps may suck by then so it’s whatever. This is all on the margins. If it’s part of some greater clear out…that’s where it gets interesting.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Definitely traded for less than fair value

But I think this is more of a case of taking care of a team guy and putting him in an ideal position in a spot he wants to be as opposed to maximizing return

Whether that is best for the Pens moving forward or not

I think you’re probably right. Dubas was said to have done the same thing with Rasmus Sandin at the ‘23 deadline.

 

[NoVaCapsFan]

I like this trade for the Caps. Lapierre has not shown he is ready and the rest of the team can’t wait for him. Sgarbossa is not the answer either and having him up from Hershey is a signal that the team considers Lapierre is unplayable right now. Welcome back, Tiger!

As for the Pens, all I can say is a good GM can get value from draft picks, so there is that.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Caps are killin' it this year, good job

 

[Gillings]

"everyone is available but 87"

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

But I was told he was worth a 2nd.

He got a 3rd 3 drafts from now, and a 2025 5th.

This is a good price.

You don't pay 2nds for 4th line centers

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Great for WSH, PIT is waiving the white flag.

Ovi’s been playing the long game. Pens finally let their guard down, this is where he gets Cups #2 & 3 to catch up with Sid.

 

[Midnight Judges]

I'm not a fan of this for the Caps. Nothing against Eller, but they've got young talent that is on a better trajectory.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I wanted a 3rd, so OK I guess, but in 27? Also if he holds course he's probably worth a late 2nd at the deadline. This gives Pens space to make more moves though, and it opens up a spot in the lineup.

 

[Extra Texture]

The value part doesn’t bother me that much. Eller was a solid, competent piece, one of the few bright spots for the Pens this year.

No, what bothers me is that the GM is back to reshuffling deck chairs (a deck chair he brought in to Pittsburgh btw), and this beyond-stale ass coach is sitting on a seat that is ice cold. The most obvious move out there to change the landscape is sitting in plain sight and Dubas is still nibbling at the margins, trading the things that actually work on the roster for (way) future draft picks.

It’s just pathetic. This team has declined to the point of irrelevance, and the buck stops with absolutely no one.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

I have a feeling part of the trade was Eller wanted to go to Washington and Pitt doing him a solid.

 

[Rudy Russo]

Kyle Dubas said via email on Tuesday that the Lars Eller trade has been "in the works since the spring; Washington met our asking price and we executed the deal." Eller did not indicate that he wanted a trade, and he had no say in the Capitals being that destination.

On what the trade signals for the direction of the team, Dubas only said that "it signals that with Blake Lizotte returning from injury and having depth options at center with Cody Glass, Noel Acciari, and Sam Poulin on the roster plus younger centers progressing in our system that we wanted the minutes for those players and give them greater opportunity plus increase our assets and cap space to give us greater flexibility."

That being said, the door is still open for other players in the AHL to come in and take any spots.

"Players will be recalled and given opportunity only when we feel they have maximized their development at Wilkes and are ready to make that step," Dubas said. "Some guys earned that out of camp and others are starting to make a strong push while helping Wilkes off to a great start. We look forward to seeing which guys can continue that push with Wilkes, help them win and earn their chance to come up when those opportunities arise."

 

[Ghost of Murph]

Caps keep killing it. Excellent pickup. Eller obviously a big piece when the Caps won the Cup. Beyond that he is a solid playoff performer in general and still has something left in the tank. Quality depth move for a reasonable price.

 

[Bouboumaster]

On a side note, as a fan of a team that will be a seller at the tdl, f*** you Pittsburgh for lowering the price that much, like, wtf is wrong with you?
You don't like to get assets or something?

 

[Drake1588]

Earlier in the year, Protas and Lapierre played some 3C, and later Sgarbossa got the callup. None really knocked their socks off, though. Sgarbossa probably came closest. The fourth line has been shouldering a lot of third line responsibilities owing to the superior veteran center there. Eller fills a real need on a team that is clicking almost everywhere else.

Adding Eller yields a third line that is more of a scoring threat. Likely lines:

Ovechkin-Strome-Protas
McMichael-Dubois-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Mangiapane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

Chychrun-Carlson
Fehervary-Roy
Sandin-Van Riemsdyk

Thompson
Lindgren

Bench: Milano, McIlrath, Alexeev

With the trade, they sent Sgarbossa down to Hershey. As Eller might not be ready by tomorrow, Lapierre could play 3C versus Toronto.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Earlier in the year, Protas and Lapierre played some 3C, and later Sgarbossa got the callup. None really knocked their socks off, though. Sgarbossa probably came closest. The fourth line has been shouldering a lot of third line responsibilities owing to the superior veteran center there. Eller fills a real need on a team that is clicking almost everywhere else.

Adding Eller yields a third line that is more of a scoring threat. Likely lines:

Ovechkin-Strome-Protas
McMichael-Dubois-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Mangiapane
Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

Chychrun-Carlson
Fehervary-Roy
Sandin-Van Riemsdyk

Thompson
Lindgren

Bench: Milano, McIlrath, Alexeev

With the trade, they sent Sgarbossa down to Hershey. As Eller might not be ready by tomorrow, Lapierre could play 3C versus Toronto.

Have to admit that's a pretty solid lineup. Caps did a much better job trying to compete than the Pens did during Crosby/Ovechkin's final few years.

 

[Canes]

Dubas is f***ing trash.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Dubas making a trade for a draft pick the next GM will get to utilize.

On a similar note, Sullivan's going to be around to coach that 2027 kid when the kid turns 25.

 

[wej20]

Was expecting a 3rd and a 5th but not sure why he didnt wait and see if he could get a 3rd for the upcoming draft. Guess it sends a message. Eller's been one of the few Pens this year I'd give a passing grade.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Not a bad move. We traded Reilly Smith to the Rangers for a 2027 2nd and a 2025 5th, and that required some retention. This is a good deal, comparably.

Interesting move given that Dubas allegedly wants to add players to the roster and not just dump guys for futures.

True, but he also wanted to get younger, and this is a convenient way to do that.

 

[NCPens]

Probably worth more at the deadline but not much and there is risk involved. This opens up some playing time for a younger player and gives them some cap space.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Crosby to NYR next

 

[SomeDude]

This opens up some playing time for a younger player

“Best I can do is Matt Nieto”