The Pittsburgh Penguins are taking a low-cost swing on Hendrix Lapierre, and there’s a real case for him becoming one of the more interesting names on their roster next season.
Pittsburgh landed the 24-year-old forward from the Washington Capitals last month in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, then followed that up earlier this month by signing him to a two-year, $2.6 million contract with a $1.3 million annual average value. For a player who once came into the league with first-round pedigree, it’s the kind of move that signals both opportunity and a fresh start.
Lapierre’s 2025-26 season in Washington didn’t jump off the page. He finished with four goals and 16 points in 74 games, a modest line that left plenty of room for more.
Still, that’s not the whole picture. He’s only 24, and there’s enough history there to suggest the offensive upside hasn’t disappeared.
The best stretch of his career came in 2023-24, when he put up eight goals, 14 assists and 22 points in 51 games. That’s the version of Lapierre the Penguins are betting on - the one who can grow into a useful piece in the top nine if everything clicks.
Pittsburgh has built a reputation for helping young players find another gear, and Lapierre fits the profile of a player who could benefit from that environment. The move comes with limited risk, but the payoff could be meaningful if he turns last season’s quiet numbers into something much more productive in Pittsburgh.
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