Screen cap: @Capitals

On Monday, Washington Capitals prospect Hendrix Lapierre spoke to the media as we are just two days away from the Capitals’ season-opener against the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7:30 PM ET, TNT). He discussed his enthusiasm and eagerness about potentially making the team’s Opening Night roster, which will be announced on Tuesday.

The Capitals expect to make additional transactions and reveal the 2021-22 Opening Night roster on Tuesday, but there is still a good chance we can see Lapierre on the roster. He expressed his excitement and mentioned he has been talking to family daily. “If I were to play, they’d be ready. They’d come for sure, and I think it’d be really special,” he said.

In mid-September during Rookie Camp, Lapierre voiced his readiness and confidence and “getting closer” every day to playing in the NHL. “I do everything in my power each and every day to be a better hockey player whether it’s on-ice preparation, off-ice preparation…I feel confident in my abilities and my general play.”

“I said at the beginning of camp I was going to be ready in whatever situation,” he said today, adding that he has been enjoying playing on a line with forwards T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary. Lapierre called himself “extremely lucky” playing with those wingers currently and appreciates the tips and new skills he has been gaining because of them.

As mentioned, there is a possibility Lapierre will take the ice on opening night. “I’ve been here for a while and each and every day is really special,” Lapierre said. “Coming to the rink I feel it’s a privilege for everyone, especially for me as a young guy coming in, so [I’m] really excited about the start of the season, the first game, and I really just want to prove that I can be an effective player…my excitement level couldn’t be higher right now.”

“I said at the beginning of camp I was going to be ready for whatever situation.”

Hendrix Lapierre meets with the media ahead of the Capitals final roster decisions later this afternoon.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/0hWDqWa72d

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 11, 2021

By Della Young