(Photo by Nick Wass/AP)

One of the first free agent signings Kyle Dubas made in the offseason was to bring in centerman and longtime NHLer Lars Eller. 

Penguins fans might recognize that name very well from his many years as a rival while with the Washington Capitals. 

But now, crossing over enemy lines and joining Pittsburgh, Eller could provide some critical center depth for the Penguins. 

At the time he was signed, Dubas indicated that Eller was “really, really key” and that he “rounds out [the Penguins’] top nine.”

He will very likely be slotting in at third line center, behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. It’s a great role for the defensive and gritty 34 year old who is hoping for another crack at a Stanley Cup. 

Originally a draft pick of the St. Louis Blues back in 2007, Eller spent time in Montreal before the Canadiens traded him to Washington, netting two second round picks back in the deal. 

Eller does bring with him a massive amount of playoff experience, including multiple previous rounds battling against the Penguins. In total, Eller has 103 Stanley Cup Playoff games under his belt. It’s not a huge need for the Penguins at this point, but having a guy who knows what the playoffs are like can never hurt.

Eller was with the Capitals when they won the Stanley Cup in 2018, including scoring the game and ultimately series-winning goal in Game 5 to give Washington the Cup. Eller was insanely clutch in that 2018 Washington run, putting up 7 goals and 18 points, including 3 game winning goals, which led the league.

His Stanley Cup winning goal, scored right in front of the net, is a pretty good indicator of what Lars Eller’s game is. He gets in the gritty areas of the ice and is not afraid to use the body when he needs to. 

He does have some nifty hands too, though, occasionally ripping off an absolute snipe shot into the net.

He’s a tough, physical center, who at 6 ‘2 and 205 pounds, brings some size in the middle of the ice to the Penguins. Despite that, he’s also very durable too, something that the Penguins very much need. 

This past season, Eller played in 84 games (you read that right) between the Capitals and Colorado Avalanche, who he was traded to shortly before the deadline. 

Whether the Penguins injury curse will inflict itself on Eller is yet to be seen, but Eller has generally been able to stay very healthy. Since the 2013-14 season, Eller has played in 88% or more of his team’s games (excluding 2020-21). 

On the offensive front, he can chip in from time to time as well, but don’t expect him to lead your team in offense. In 84 games this season, Eller put up 10 goals and 13 assists. He was never known to be a stout offensive producer; Eller has never had a 20+ goal season nor a 40+ point season (though he has hit 38 and 39 before). 

That being said, Eller does have five 30+ point seasons under his belt, and if things shake right this season, who is to say he couldn’t have another? He put up 31 with Washington in 2021-22, so he is not at all far removed from a season like that. If he can find his stride in Pittsburgh, his numbers could see a boost, which would make him an even more welcome addition to the bottom-six, which was dreadful offensively last season. 

He will likely be a big factor on the penalty kill as well, having spent time as part of Washington’s for years. He averaged 1:51 of shorthanded time a game with the Capitals last season. 

With Teddy Blueger gone, the Penguins need a solid center at the helm to help out on the PK. Eller has routinely been able to win a majority of his faceoffs; since the 2019-20 season, Eller has put up a faceoff win percentage over 50%, with the exception of 2021-22, where he had 49.5%. 

This past season, Eller had a 51.0% with Colorado and a 54.6% with Washington, which was the best mark of his career. Averaging those two gives him a 53.7%, which would have placed him second best on the Penguins, above Sidney Crosby and behind Jeff Carter. 

He was the faceoff win percentage leader on Washington last season (with a 12 games played minimum). On the penalty kill itself, Eller had a 54.9% faceoff win percentage with the Capitals last season. 

At 34 years old, the third line center role fits Eller best, and he should be a very positive addition for the Penguins. He’s great defensively, he’s great in the faceoff dot, and if all goes well, he can put up some points as well. 

Dubas and the Penguins hope that he can be a depth upgrade in what was one of many problem areas for Pittsburgh last season.