Penguins fans can take a sigh of relief as an ancy fanbase has seen Kyle Dubas hop in on the trade action today as he has acquired depth forward Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third round pick (Pittsburgh's own) and a 2028 fifth round pick (San Jose's fifth acquired in 2025 Trade Deadline)
This trade is quite simply a low risk, high reward potential move that will see Lapierre replace Noel Acciari on that beast of a fourth line with Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte.
Lapierre, 24, is a pending RFA who last season switched from centre to the wing and was stapled to the wing for most of the season with Washington. Last season Lapierre played in 74 games at the NHL level with a stat-line of four goals, 12 assists, 16 points in those 74 games played.
Hendrix is very familiar with Todd Nelson as they both won back to back Calder Cups together in Hershey in the 2022-2023 season and the 2023-24 season. Lapierre also won AHL Playoffs MVP in the 2023-24 season (Jack A Butterfield Trophy) and had the most points in the AHL Playoffs that year with 22.
The former first round pick in 2020 at 22nd overall has potential that Washington just wasn't able to unlock and Dan Muse has been able to do so. His offense hasn't developed as expected so far at the NHL level but he can be a useful two-way bottom 6 player.
There's the possibility if Pittsburgh can develop his offensive game a little more that this acquisition could be better for the team as they try to add younger assets relatively on the cheap. Having an offensive breakout season is what Dan Muse will have the job of unlocking. It could pan out to be a smart move that perfectly fits within the organizational game plan of Kyle Dubas and his vision.
The Gatineau native will stay within the Metro division and has the chance to prove a lot of Washington fans, staff and personnel wrong if he can finally harness his game and show his sustainability in the NHL and contribute to the Penguins in the net positive and on the score-sheet.
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