On Nov. 12, the hovering Washington Capitals added to their middle depth in an out-of-the-blue transfer. The Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting at 6-9-2, traded Lars Eller in change for a 2027 third-round choose and a 2025 fifth-round choose. Eller, who was a member of the Capitals for seven seasons and received the 2018 Stanley Cup in D.C., will rejoin his previous membership.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have acquired ahead Lars Eller from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Washington’s third-round choose within the 2027 NHL Draft and a fifth-round choose (initially from Chicago) within the 2025 NHL Draft. #ALLCAPS | @Shift4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2024
The Capitals, simply three factors shy of the second-best document within the NHL at 10-4-0, appear to be consumers. Shoring up depth is rarely a nasty thought, particularly if accidents begin to come. They’d a latest scare with ahead Sonny Milano, who was positioned on injured reserve on Saturday (Nov. 9). Eller is an additional choice with tons of expertise.
Associated: Lars Eller: Capitals ‘Subsequent Man Up’
The 35-year-old performed 488 video games with Washington and put up 208 factors, departing in 2022-23. He has seven factors in 17 video games for the Penguins this season and is within the final 12 months of a $2.45 million cap-hit contract.
As for the Penguins, they get some monetary freedom and an additional roster spot to make use of on whoever they please. Draft picks are all the time good to stockpile, too, in order that they made out greater than okay. Pittsburgh normally doesn’t see themselves as sellers, however the Sidney Crosby dynasty days are fading away. Coming off back-to-back playoff misses, a 3rd would mark their longest drought since earlier than they drafted Crosby in 2005.
The top of an period is right here, and Penguins normal supervisor Kyle Dubas is approaching it as such. He’s but to make the large splash transfer, however the roster is deteriorating beginning with its backside six.
