Hendrix Lapierre gives Dan Muse another young forward to work with after the Penguins moved draft capital to bring him in from Washington.
Pittsburgh acquired Lapierre from the Capitals for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick originally belonging to the Sharks.
The move was announced Thursday by Kyle Dubas.
Lapierre is 24 and still sits in restricted free agent territory, which makes this more than a depth add. The Penguins now control the next step with a former first-round pick who still has room to carve out a bigger role.
That's the part that stands out. Pittsburgh didn't pay a premium here, but it did take a swing on a center with pedigree, NHL experience, and a track record of producing when the game opens up.
He played 74 games for Washington in 2025-26 and finished with 4 goals and 12 assists.
Those numbers won't jump off the page, but the Penguins are clearly betting there's more offense in there.
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Over 158 NHL games, Lapierre has posted 13 goals and 47 points. His best season came in 2023-24, when he put up 22 points in 51 games and looked like a player trending toward a regular spot.
A low-cost move with real upside
This is where the fit gets interesting for Pittsburgh. Muse now gets a young forward who can push for middle-six work, and the Penguins didn't have to touch a roster player to make it happen.
Lapierre also brings a strong winning background from Hershey. He won 2 Calder Cups there and was named playoff MVP during the 2024 run after producing 22 postseason points.
That matters in a room trying to get younger without getting softer. Players who've handled pressure games in the spring usually arrive with a better feel for pace, detail, and how to stay useful when the bench gets shorter.
Before turning pro, the Gatineau native stacked up 144 points in 128 QMJHL games with Chicoutimi and Acadie-Bathurst. The offensive touch has been there for years, even if it hasn't fully broken through at the NHL level yet.
Washington originally took him 22nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Pittsburgh is now betting that a change of sweater, a fresh camp, and a new voice behind the bench can unlock the next layer of his game.
For the Penguins, this isn't just a paper transaction in late June. It's a clear bet on age, upside, and the chance that Hendrix Lapierre can turn a modest trade price into a real roster win.
Will Hendrix Lapierre earn a full-time top-nine role with the Penguins?
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