The Washington Capitals traded longtime Center Lars Eller to the Colorado Avalanche prior to the 2023 Trade Deadline, sending the 2018 Stanley Cup hero westward after seven seasons in DC. For the next two seasons, the club will be seeing a lot more of “Tiger” after the opening day of free agency saw the veteran forward return to the Metropolitan Division.
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Eller to a two-year deal on the opening day of free agency.
Per The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the deal comes with an annual average value of $2.45 million.
Penguins have signed C Lars Eller to a two-year deal worth $2.45M AAV
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2023
Eller played nearly (488) 500 games in a Washington sweater, recording 208 Points (87 G, 121 A) and establishing himself as one of the team’s most important players down the middle.
However, the all-time Games Played leader among Danish-born NHL players is best remembered for his role in helping the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup in the summer of 2018, scoring a tide-changing overtime goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round before scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Eller struggled in his final two seasons in D.C. offensively, and was dealt to Colorado last season as the Caps’ playoff hopes faded and his contract approached expiration.
In a 14-season NHL career with the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Capitals, and Avalanche, Eller has recorded 163 Goals, 208 Assists, and 371 Points in 954 Games Played