Lars Eller is heading back to Washington.
The Capitals acquired the forward from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025 and a fifth-round pick in 2027, the teams announced.
“We are excited to welcome Lars back to our organization,” said Capitals general manager Chris Patrick in a statement. “This move enhances our depth at the critical center position. Lars is a versatile player, that we are confident will strengthen our team’s depth and competitiveness.”
Eller, 35, has logged seven points (four goals, three assists) through 17 games in his second season with Pittsburgh.
The six-foot-two Danish center previously spent seven seasons in Washington from 2016-23 and was a member of the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning team. Notably, he cored the title-clinching goal in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Eller logged 208 points (87 goals, 121 assists) through 488 games as a Capital during his previous tenure. He was second on the team in games played and sixth in points through that span.
Washington originally acquired Eller ahead of the 2016-17 season from the Montreal Canadiens. He's played a total of 1,053 NHL games between the Capitals, Penguins, Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues.
The move could be the first of several for Pittsburgh, which began Wednesday just two points clear of the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Penguins were whipped 7-1 by the Dallas on Monday, a game in which the Stars poured in six goals in the first period.
Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas has tried to straddle a line that keeps the team competitive in the twilight of the careers of franchise icons Sidney Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang.
The team's wobbly start highlighted by the struggles of goaltender Tristan Jarry and a porous defense — the Penguins are tied with Montreal for a minus-21 goal differential, the worst in the league — could lead to more substantial changes. Dubas has been intent on trying to beef up the team's prospect pool and sending out Eller for two picks down the road is another step in that direction.
Meanwhile, the Capitals are 10-4-0, good enough for third in the Metropolitan division behind the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils.
-- with files from the Associated Press
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