The Washington Capitals have activated forward T.J. Oshie from injured-reserve and have sent down forward Hendrix Lapierre to Hershey ahead of the Capitals matchup against the New York Rangers. Lapierre does not require clearing waivers to return to Hershey. Defensemen Alex Alexeyev and Lucas Johansen would both need to clear waivers to be returned to Hershey.
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have loaned forward Hendrix Lapierre to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. In addition, the Capitals have activated forward T.J. Oshie from Injured Reserve (IR).
Lapierre, 21, has recorded three points (1g, 2a) in 11 games with the Capitals this season. The 6’0”, 188-pound forward registered all three points in Washington’s 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 18, which marked his first career multi-point game. Lapierre scored the game-winning goal against Columbus, his second career goal and his first since his NHL debut on Oct. 13, 2021 versus the New York Rangers. Lapierre has also recorded three assists in six games with Hershey this season.
Lapierre, the Capitals’ first-round choice (22nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, recorded 30 points (15g, 15a) in 60 games during his first professional season with Hershey in 2022-23. Lapierre ranked second among Hersheyrookies in goals, points, power-play points (10) and shots (114). In addition, Lapierre ranked third on the Bears in power-play goals (5). Lapierre added six points (3g, 3a) in 20 playoff games, including the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals.
The Gatineau, Quebec native appeared in six games with the Capitals during the 2021-22 season. Lapierre made his NHL debut and scored his first career goal versus the New York Rangers on Oct. 13, 2021, becoming the first Capitals rookie since 2014-15 to make his NHL debut at the age of 19 and the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to score in his debut. In 17 career games with Washington, Lapierre has recorded four points (2g, 2a).
By Jacob Cheris
Crap. He was pretty good lately. At least what I saw. Definitely better than Milano of late.
Know why they chose to send him down (no waivers). But still.
Exactly right Andrew. Alexeyev and Johansson would both require clearing waivers.
Lapierre also needs to play consistently. He’s only in his 2nd year as a pro. He did a lot of press box duty with the Caps. Let him play & call him back up when needed
Right. Ice time on any team is better than press box time on any team.
To behonest I would rather have kept Lapierre adn put Oshie on waivers. Sad to say but after all his injuries last year and his age he needs togo tomake this team better. I would rathergo through growing pains with younger players than frustration with injuries from older players.
Lappy knows why he is odd man out, that he’s not just getting demoted. It isn’t just their play on the ice that determines moves but business decisions as well. Tampa has lost a whole boatload of players that Cooper wanted to keep, not just the fans. But the cap interfered. In Lappy’s case, it’s waivers.
We don’t know what goes on in offices. I believe that Osh wants to retire a Capital. He had a great opportunity to return to Seattle and told the Caps no, he wanted to stay here. What if he told them that this will be his last year in the NHL. Would a caring GM, President, and owner (especially one as loyal to his staff as Ted) push him out and deny him that? They didn’t do that to Nicky, and I don’t think they would do that to Osh. Players like to come to DC because it is more of a family feeling, not just a bunch of accountants somewhere running the numbers. Sometimes that is good, sometimes not. But that’s the Caps.
I actually copied this over and saved it in my Notes app… 😔
The notion of Oshie back to Seattle is highly inaccurate. Last year on Spittin Chiclets he specifically said the only team he would accept a trade to is the Minnesota Wild. Kinda shocked no one on any of the blogs picked it up. He’s been in Warroad since a teenager, so he’s pretty much grown up there and his company is called Warroad (not Seattle)
When the Caps had to make players available to Seattle for their initial draft there was speculation about Osh going back. My memory may be faulty and I’m not digging for the articles, but as I remember he does have a lot of family in Seattle. He stated at that time that he wanted to retire with the Caps.
This is really well said Fyre. Something i talk about regularly with the business of rosters. Last year the roster dynamics prevented McMichael from being sent down sooner which I’m sure coaches and GM would have preferred. So good that Lappy is able to head down now without a lot of nacho duty. Got good games, minutes and experience over 11 games. Lots of games to play in Hershey as well and I think he has the maturity now to step right in understanding his role due to contract status and roster.
Get him in the Bears lineup tonight!
Looks like he is. With 18 min left has one shot on goal.
AND SCORES! Bears up 6-0
While some will disagree, there’s a solid reason for keeping established, older STAR Players – They help you to WIN RIGHT NOW! Everyone hopes for a great, winning future but for most teams of every era that winning future was and will be very short-lived. You play the hand your dealt. USE the cards right and they can win for you. In recent years, the Caps’ coaching has lacked the smarts to play the cards right. Let’s hope our latest ‘Berry can develop better strategy, then the Caps will have a Full House on the ice as well as in the stands.
Yes and no (kind of disagree). Yes, they can help in the locker room and mentor young players. Hawks clearly said that was the main reason they signed Corey Perry. But not always on the ice. Jagr has admitted that he would not want to play in the NHL right now because the style of play has changed — it is not a style he is comfortable with nor enjoys. So when the STAR players can’t or won’t adjust to the style of game the coach is wanting, their on ice contribution may be more hurting than helping.