The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly acquiring forward Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals in exchange for draft picks, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
The move sends the 22-year-old center to a Metropolitan Division rival as the Penguins look to bolster their depth. Lapierre, who was selected 22nd overall by Washington in the 2020 NHL Draft, has spent the last few seasons transitioning between the NHL and the AHL level. The specific details regarding the draft picks involved in the trade have not yet been disclosed.
Lapierre is coming off a productive stint with the Capitals' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, where he played a pivotal role in their recent success, including winning the 2024 Calder Cup and being named the AHL playoff MVP. During the 2023-24 season, he appeared in 51 regular-season games for Washington, recording eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points.
This trade marks a significant intra-division transaction as Pittsburgh adds a young, former first-round talent to their system. Further details on the trade compensation are expected to be released by the teams involved later today.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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