The Montreal Canadiens traded Forward Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals for two second round draft picks.

Immediately following the announcement of the overall first pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs (Auston Mathews), league commissioner Gary Bettmen announced the first trade of the draft. The Montreal Canadiens traded forward Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals for two second round picks (2017 and 2018). A native of Denmark, Eller was originally a first-round choice (13 ^th overall) of the St. Louis Blues in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Eller is a 6′-2″, 27-year-old left-handed forward with speed. Heading into the summer of 2016, GM MacLellan noted a need for speed and for a third-line center. Washington addressed each of those needs just ahead of the start of the 2016 NHL Draft. Per Caps Mike Vogel:

“Eller is a solid two-way center with good speed and the ability to chip in 10-15 goals and 25-30 points annually. His production has fallen in that range in each of the last five seasons. “

NBC’s Peirre McGuire noted that the Capitals have been “having difficulties coming to terms” with current Capitals forward Marcus Johansson, and that this could be significant with regards to Johansson’s future with the Capitals. However, the Caps Mike Vogel tweeted:

For those wondering, #Caps believe they’ll be able to have Eller, Johansson, Wilson and Orlov under $73 mil cap without making another deal.

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) June 24, 2016

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The Washington Post reported Montreal General Manager Marc Bergevin and Washington’s Brian MacLellan were seen having several conversations on the draft floor prior to the start of the draft. After trading Eller to the Capitals, the Canadiens acquired Andrew Shaw from Chicago.

Brian MacLellan and Marc Bergevin are conveniently talking right in front of the media pic.twitter.com/UMfuVCoMpb

— Josh Cooper (@JoshuaCooper) June 24, 2016

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Salary Cap Hit

Lars Eller has a $3.5 million cap hit that runs through 2017-18 season.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 24, 2016

With acquisition of Eller, #Caps have estimated $10.88M in cap space with 10F/6D/2G.https://t.co/ZC4rX3eP3U

— General Fanager (@generalfanager) June 24, 2016

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A quick snapshot of Eller’s career:

From the Capitals official press release:

Eller, 27, registered 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 79 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season. The 6’2”, 207-pound center finished the 2015-16 season ranked sixth on Canadiens in goals and tied for eighth in points. He scored two goals on Oct. 10 at Boston and played in his 400th NHL game on December 26 at Washington. Eller recorded career highs in points (30) and assists (22) in 2012-13 and scored a career-high 16 goals in 2011-12. He has earned 156 points (73 goals, 83 assists) in 442 career NHL games with St. Louis and Montreal. In addition, he has tallied 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 37 career NHL playoff games. Eller was drafted by St. Louis in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft. The Rodovre, Denmark, native has represented Denmark at three World Championships (2008, 2010, 2012) and the 2008 World Junior Championship.

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