The Capitals made their third trade of the week on Thursday, sending forward Hendrix Lapierre to the rival Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder.
Lapierre was a first-round pick of the Capitals in 2020, but he struggled to live up to his draft status in Washington. The 24-year-old recorded just 47 points — 13 goals and 34 assists — across 158 games with the Capitals.
Last season, as Washington missed the playoffs, Lapierre managed four goals and 12 assists in 74 appearances.
The Capitals now have eight picks in both the 2027 and 2028 drafts.
It’s been a busy week for Washington general manager Chris Patrick. He acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday in exchange for a first-round pick, Connor McMichael and prospect Milton Gastrin.
The flurry of moves continued Wednesday when the Capitals sent a third-rounder to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Alex Tuch, who agreed to sign an eight-year contract to remain in Washington. Tuch was scheduled to become a free agent next week.
The Capitals’ biggest offseason question mark remains unanswered. Longtime captain Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, is slated to become a free agent on July 1. The 40-year-old has said he has no plans to play for another NHL team, but openly pondered retirement at the end of last season. The Russian told reporters that he’d announce his retirement decision early in the summer.
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