The Washington Capitals have reacquired center Lars Eller from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who received a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick in the transaction. Eller skated in nearly 500 games with the Capitals before moving on to Colorado in 2022. He signed a two-year, $4.9 million contract with the Penguins as a free agent in 2023. Eller has tallied four goals and seven points in 17 games in Pittsburgh this season, winning 56 percent of his faceoffs. He will assume the same position in Washington and be deployed as a penalty-killer. The 35-year-old likely won't be ready to join his new teammates for Wednesday's clash with Toronto but should make his second debut for the Capitals later in the week.
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller has entered COVID-19 protocols, the team announced on Monday. The Danish veteran came up with a big overtime goal against Vancouver in the last game but will now have to patiently wait for his opportunity to rejoin the lineup. Eller has posted 23 points overall this season in 53 games. His spot as the third-line center went to Connor McMichael at Monday's practice and it appears that Daniel Sprong will get a chance to join the lineup on Tuesday against the Islanders. The line also currently includes Washington's third-best goal-scorer Tom Wilson, so there's some fantasy appeal.
Lars Eller Back In The Lineup Sunday For Washington
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller returns to the lineup on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Eller missed a half-dozen games in all due to COVID. He also had to quarantine for ten days in an Anaheim hotel room. It seemed to affect his mental health and outlook more than anything. The good news is he will return to his middle-six role and seemed unencumbered in practice. He had eight points (seven assists) in 15 games. It may take a few games for Eller to get back some of his timing so be patient in fantasy leagues.
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (lower body) will return to the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against the Rangers. The veteran forward, who hasn't played since Mar. 13, will replace Richard Panik on the third line. He has five goals and 12 points for the season in 22 games with 33 shots and a minus-two rating. The Dane is far from a consistent offensive contributor, but he was on a nice run last month with nine points in 10 games. He's joined on the third line by Jakub Vrana, who is the team's third-best goal-scorer, so Eller has some DFS appeal.
Lars Eller Has Seven Shots, One Goal Versus Penguins
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller recorded a game-high seven shots and produced the team's final tally in Tuesday's 3-1 win at Pittsburgh. Conor Sheary and Jakub Vrana also scored the Capitals, who ended a four-game skid. The team has struggled lately, but Eller has actually played his best hockey of the season, putting together a three-game point streak. He has two goals and five points for the season in 10 games with 20 shots. Skating on the third line limits Eller's fantasy value, but he's also on the second power-play unit and has picked up a couple of power-play helpers lately, so managers in deep leagues might find him useful.
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (upper body) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Islanders. He was unable to finish Tuesday's battle with the Isles and is labeled as day-to-day for now. Nicklas Backstrom (undisclosed) was also injured on Tuesday, but he is expected to suit up. Tom Wilson (lower body), who has missed two games, is a game-time decision. Both Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov remain unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols, so head coach Peter Laviolette has to be creative with his lines, and it's reported that T.J. Oshie is set to take over for Eller as the second-line center. Vitek Vanecek is expected to stay between the pipes after delivering a five-game point streak to start off the season.
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