Capitals Forward Seeking To Regain Early-Season Form
Photo credit: Nova Caps
Hendrix Lapierre had such a good 2023-2024 season with the Hershey Bears, that he was called up to the Washington Capitals and became a fixture as a 3rd-line center.
Lapierre, however, would not have a good start to the 2024-2025 season with the big club, producing only 3 assists in 27 games, with a plus/minus of -3. When he did play, Hendrix was a defensive liability and would become a healthy scratch.
"I have no idea, honestly," Lapierre said about his struggles, in an interview with the Hockey News. "I think I was just not playing well...I had a great summer, felt good, worked hard. So it was kind of weird to arrive and have a tough camp."
Consistency in a player's game is a learned behaviour, and requires a mental fortitude that not all players can achieve.
Hendrix Lapierre finds his footing with Hershey Bears
After 27 games of marginal play and trips to the press box, Lapierre was sent down to the Hershey Bears, where he hoped to find his game once more.
"When we sent Hendrix down, we had a good, hard talk with him about what the expectations are going down to Hershey and what we're going to be looking for," GM Chris Patrick said prior to Lapierre's demotion.
And it didn't take long for the center to earn his minutes, top minutes, in fact, with the Bears, where skated hard, demonstrated his playmaking ability and speed. In 32 games, Hendrix had 7goals and 25 assists - an excellent point-per-game pace.
"To his credit, he's gone down there and lived up to expectations," Patrick continued saying. "Not just what the coaches are saying and what we're seeing, but from the different analytics that we track. He's done a really good job of taking what we said to heart."
Lapierre's play with the Hershey Bears has put him in a good position, and will be considered for the 3rd line center role.
"I hope he comes in and makes some tough decisions for the coaching staff," Patrick concluded.
There is no question Hendrix has the ability to be an NHLer. If he can find consistency in his game, there is no doubt we will be seeing him on a regular basis with the Caps next season.
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 51 ANSWERS Capitals Forward Seeking To Regain Early-Season Form Will Hendrix Lapierre make the Washington line-up next season? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 54.9 % |
| No | 23 | 45.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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