Penguins trade Lars Eller to Capitals for two draft picks

The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday they’ve acquired veteran forward Lars Eller from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and 2027 third-round pick. As Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports, the ’25 fifth-round pick originally belonged to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Eller, 35, has appeared in 17 games for the Penguins this season, scoring four goals and three assists for seven points, averaging 16:25 in ice-time per game. Eller is playing the most minutes he’s played since the 2019-20 season, when he was a member of the Capitals.

The 16-year veteran returns to Washington where he spent parts of seven seasons with the franchise, including winning a Stanley Cup during the 2017-18 season. Eller recorded 208 points in 488 games with the Capitals in the first part of his tenure. Washington adds Eller for some more depth and versatility up front, as the team is off to a blazing 10-4-0 start to the year.

The Penguins on the other hand, are a completely different story. Pittsburgh is off to a horrendous 6-9-2 start to the campaign, and there’s been growing speculation that President and GM Kyle Dubas was open to making some roster changes, in hopes of sparking his team and to provide opportunities for some of his younger roster players to gain some more ice-time.

As for the Capitals, they are excited to bring Eller back into the mix, as the 6-foot-2 center has enjoyed a strong season in Pittsburgh, despite the team’s lack of results. Eller has won 56% of his faceoffs this season, and continues to display a solid two-way game.

Eller has appeared in 103 Stanley Cup Playoff games throughout his decorated career, which includes 15 goals, 34 assists for 49 points. Eller is in the final season of his current two-year deal, making $2.45 million against the cap.