Few NHL fans had a Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals trade predicted for Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
However, the Penguins completed a trade with their Metropolitan Division rival Capitals sending Lars Eller, 35, to Washington for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2027 third-round draft pick.
Lars Eller is headed back to the @Capitals! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/CUymhqNwrW
— NHL (@NHL) November 12, 2024
Eller played for the Capitals from 2016-2023 before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche and ultimately signed as a free agent by the Penguins on July 1, 2023.
What It Means for Pittsburgh
The Penguins are struggling. At 6-9-2, the team has not been able to build momentum this season. The Penguins knocked off the Capitals last week, but on Monday night, the team suffered a rough loss to the Dallas Stars at home. The score was 7-1 with six of the Stars’ goals coming in the first period. Fans wonder how long Coach Mike Sullivan will be at the helm if the troubles continue.
This move does not indicate a fire sale or rebuild is imminent, but it makes sense for Pittsburgh given Eller’s age and contract. He is in the final year of his two-year $4.9 million deal and would have been a free agent at the end of the season.
Lars Eller has played over 1,000 career games and has 409 career points in 16 years. He has seven points this season with four goals and three assists.
What Lars Eller’s Return Means for Washington
Eller’s career-best years were in Washington. During his seven years with the Capitals, he scored over half of his points (208) and nearly half of his goals (87 of 182).
The Capitals have gotten off to an outstanding 10-4 start this season. Washington is in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Carolina is 11-3. New Jersey is 10-6-2.
The #caps have (re)acquired Lars Eller from the #pens for a 2027 3rd-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Eller scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for Washington in 2018.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 12, 2024
Washington makes the trade with playoff hopes. The Capitals know what Eller has done on the Washington ice in the past and want his veteran leadership. Eller is a fan-favorite who scored the Capitals’ winning goal to secure the 2018 Stanley Cup.
Lars Eller, 35, had four goals and three assists for the Penguins. Got to imagine he slots right into the 3C spot. “We are excited to welcome Lars back to our organization. Lars is a versatile player, that we are confident will strengthen our team’s depth and competitiveness.”—…
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 12, 2024
