Hendrix Lapierre is confident he can make Cap's line-up next season
Photo credit: NHL
Hendrix Lapierre has shown he can compete at the NHL level - but in small spurts. Yet, after spending time in the AHL, the center is poised to make the Capital's line-up again in the fall.
"I know I can do those things they're asking me to do," Lapierre said to RMNB about his conversations with Coach Carbery.
Yet, of the team that had success in the 2024-2025 season, the 3rd line was a part of that team that was perhaps not as deserving of the praise.
And Hendrix Lapierre was a part of the 3rd line that was most humbled by his own lack of success.
Hendrix Lapierre had been named AHL playoff MVP after winning a 2nd consecutive Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears, earning himself a spot on the 3rd line with the Capitals, straight out of training camp last fall.
Yet, his play was lackluster with Washington and Hendrix found his way back to the AHL by December, after the Capitals traded for Lars Eller from the Penguins in November. Lapierre was in the final year of his entry level contract.
Yet, of the team that had success in the 2024-2025 season, the 3rd line was a part of that team that was perhaps not as deserving of the praise.
And Hendrix Lapierre was a part of the 3rd line that was most humbled by his own lack of success.
Hendrix Lapierre had been named AHL playoff MVP after winning a 2nd consecutive Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears, earning himself a spot on the 3rd line with the Capitals, straight out of training camp last fall.
Yet, his play was lackluster with Washington and Hendrix found his way back to the AHL by December, after the Capitals traded for Lars Eller from the Penguins in November. Lapierre was in the final year of his entry level contract.
"With the way the season's gone and the depth at the center position and with Lappy's minutes, being in the stands, we felt as an organization it was best for him to get playing in Hershey," head coach Carbery said.
With the Caps, Lapierre had been averaging only 9:48 ice time per appearance, scoring only 8 points in 27 games, and a 39.6 face-off winning percentage. Not good enough for a centerman.
Lapierre, however, kept a positive attitude and worked hard. In the AHL, Hendrix scored at a point-per-game pace for the first time in his AHL career, and scored 7 goals and 25 assists
in 32 games. He'd re-found his confidence.
in 32 games. He'd re-found his confidence.
Getting demoted to the minors was not easy for Lapierre, but he kept the right attitude, and listened to his coaches.
"To his credit, he's gone down there and done that. Not just from what the coaches are saying and what we're seeing," Chris Patrick added, "but from the different analytics that we track. He's done a really good job of taking what we said to heart."
Now it's up to Hendrix to bring that attitude to camp in the fall.
| POLL | ||
MAI 27 | 38 ANSWERS Hendrix Lapierre is confident he can make Cap's line-up next season Do you believe Hendrix Lapierre can make the Capitals roster next season? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 71.1 % |
| No | 11 | 28.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
