Lars Eller

Lars Eller
Eller with theWashington Capitalsin February 2018
Born	(1989-05-08)8 May 1989 Rødovre,Denmark
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHLteam Former teams	Pittsburgh Penguins Frölunda HC St. Louis Blues Montreal Canadiens JYP Washington Capitals Colorado Avalanche
National team	Denmark
NHL draft	13th overall,2007 St. Louis Blues
Playing career	2007–present

Lars Fosgaard Eller(born 8 May 1989) is a Danish professionalice hockeyplayer for thePittsburgh Penguinsof theNational Hockey League(NHL). Nicknamed "the Tiger",he was drafted by theSt. Louis Bluesin the first round, 13th overall, in the2007 NHL Entry Draft.Eller made his NHL debut in 2009 with the Blues and was traded to theMontreal Canadiensin 2010, where he played six seasons before being traded to theWashington Capitalsin 2016. He became the first person from Denmark to win theStanley Cupwhen the Capitals won in2018,scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal, and is also the first Danish player to play in1,000 NHL games.Internationally Eller has played for theDanish national teamat both the junior and senior level, including at fiveWorld Championships.

Playing career

St. Louis Blues (2009–2010)

During the2007 NHL Entry Draft,Eller was selected 13th overall by theSt. Louis Blues,the highest ranking for a Danish born and trained player in NHL history until friend and former teammateMikkel Bødkerwas selected number eight overall by theArizona Coyotesin the2008 NHL Entry Draft.(Danish-bornJan Popielwas drafted tenth overall in the1964 NHL Amateur Draftbut grew up in and became a citizen of Canada before making his pro debut.)

Eller spent part of the 2007–08 season withBoråsin theHockeyAllsvenskan,on loan fromFrölunda.

Eller moved to North America for the2009–10 season.His preseason was spoiled bymononucleosisand, as a result, he started the season playing for thePeoria Rivermenin theAmerican Hockey League(AHL). He was called up by the St. Louis and made his NHL debut on 5 November 2009 in a game against theCalgary Flamesin which the Blues lost 2–1. He scored the Blues' lone goal, beatingMiikka Kiprusoffoff of a deflection and had three shots on goal in 9:42 minutes of ice time. Eller appeared in five NHL games before returning to Peoria, finishing the season with seven games for the Blues.

With the Rivermen, Eller was named AHL Rookie of the Month for March 2010 and was also selected for the 2009–10 AHL All-Rookie Team.

Montreal Canadiens (2010–2016)

On 17 June 2010, Eller was traded by the Blues to theMontreal Canadiens,along with Ian Schultz, in exchange for goaltenderJaroslav Halák.He participated in the Canadiens pre-season games where he played both a center and winger role.As the2010–11 seasonapproached, Eller was assigned to the Canadiens top line alongsideTomáš PlekanecandMichael Cammalleri.Once the season began, Eller was assigned to a winger position but was held pointless through the first five games of the season.His drought continued as he remained goalless through his first 20 games before scoring his first as a Canadien against theLos Angeles Kingson 24 November.Eller was a healthy scratch for three games in mid-January before rejoining the lineup on 18 January to play alongside Plekanec andAndrei Kostitsyn.Upon re-joining the lineup, Eller surpassed his previous career-high of ice time by playing 16:53 minutes in a game against theBuffalo Sabres.In late February, Eller found chemistry alongsideTravis Moenand Kostitsyn and the three carried a five-game, seven-point streak by 4 March.As the Canadiens faced off against theBoston Bruinsin the first round of the2011 Stanley Cup playoffs,Eller was given the responsibility of shutting down the Bruins’ top line. He finished third on the team with 18 hits during the post-season while also playing through a dislocated shoulder.

During the off-season, Eller underwent shoulder surgery but rejoined the team for their2011–12home opener.He joined the team for their home opener on 13 October 2011 against theCalgary Flameswhere he played 10:57 minutes of ice time.He was reunited with his former linemates Andrei Kostitsyn and Travis Moen and the three combined for 10 points in the first five games.On 23 November, Eller tallied his first shorthanded NHL goal in a win over theCarolina Hurricanes.In December, he sat as a healthy scratch for one game before returning to the lineup centeringErik ColeandMax Pacioretty.He also received a $2,500 fine for boardingLos Angeles KingsdefencemanDrew Doughtyduring a game.On 4 January 2012, Eller scored four goals and an assist in a 7–3 victory against theWinnipeg Jets,his first careerhat-trick.He subsequently became the first Montreal Canadien to score four goals at home in a single game since February 27, 1993.He continued to improve from his rookie season with the Canadiens and surpassed his 2010–11 season total in only 43 games.He finished his second season with the Canadiens with career-highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. As such, he signed a two-year contract to remain with the Canadiens through the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons.Once the Canadiens 2011–12 season ended, Eller returned to his home country to conduct his off-season training.

During the 2012–132012–13 NHL lockout,Eller signed a temporary contract withJYP Jyväskyläin the Finnish elite hockey leagueLiiga.While with JYP, Eller played alongside Boston Bruins forwardRich Peverleyand a ex-NHLersÉric PerrinandRamzi Abid.He recorded five goals and 10 assists through 15 games before returning to the Canadiens in January 2013.Upon re-joining the team, Eller bounced between different lines before centering Colby Armstrong and Moen.He also earned a spot of the penalty kill as a replacement for an ill Max Paciorettywhere he tallied a goal and two assists while going 63% in the faceoff circle during a 6–1 win over the Sabres in early February.Later that month, Eller was paired alongsideAlex Galchenyukand Erik Cole and they immediately made an impact on the team.By April 2013, Eller had accumulated four goals and 19 points through 35 games.During the2013 Stanley Cup playoffs,Eller was knocked unconscious following an open ice check byOttawa Senators' defencemanEric Gryba.He was stretchered off the ice and was later diagnosed with a concussion, along with dental and facial fractures.

Eller with theMontreal Canadiensin January 2015

Eller recovered from the injury during the offseason and returned to the Montreal Canadiens lineup to begin the2013–14 season.During the offseason, Eller and his agent were in talks with the Canadiens organization on a contract extension but eventually decided to see his play during the 2013–14 season.Once the season began, Eller was named theSecond Star of the Weekfor the week ending on 6 October. He received this honor after factored in on five of Montreal's seven goals and becoming the third Canadiens player since 2002–03 to register three or more points in the team's season opener.Eller also started the 2013–14 season shooting over 42% in his first five games before seeing his conversion rate fall toward his career average of 11.3%.In mid-October, Eller was transitioned from winger to center and he centeredThe Kid Linebetween Alex Galchenyuk andBrendan Gallagher.While on this line, Eller tallied nine points in 13 games during the month of October and led the team in goals during the early stages of the season.Due to this, he surpassed his goal tally from the previous season in five less games by scoring his 9th of the season in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes on 31 December.Eller finished the regular season with 12 goals and 14 assists including two goals on the power play, one while shorthanded and scored three game-winning goals. He also led all Canadiens forwards with 130 hits and recorded 137 shots on goal, while averaging 15:57 of ice time per game.

As the Canadiens qualified for the2014 Stanley Cup playoffs,Eller continued to produce and set career-highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. During the First Round of the playoffs, Eller amassed at least a point per game and finished with six points in five playoff games against theTampa Bay Lightning.During Game 1 of the Second Round against the Boston Bruins, Eller scored the first goal of the series to help lead the Canadiens to a win.They eventually fell to theNew York Rangersin Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.On 24 July 2014, Eller signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension with the Canadiens.

Following the signing of his contract extension, Eller spent six weeks in his hometown of Copenhagen before returning to Montreal to resume his daily workouts at theBell Sports Complex.Once the2014–15 seasonbegan, Eller centeredJiří SekáčandBrandon Prustthrough the first half of the season but when his production began to wane, his name was flown around to be traded. However, he remained with the team and played withDevante Smith-PellyandJacob de la Roseover the final six games of the season.While with his new linemates, Eller snapped a 14-game goalless streak on 7 March and combined for numerous shots on net and hits.

Washington Capitals (2016–2023)

After six seasons, Eller's tenure with the Canadiens came to an end at the2016 NHL Entry Draft,as he was traded to theWashington Capitalsin exchange for two second-round picks in2017and2018on 24 June 2016.Upon joining the Capitals for the2016–17 season,Eller centred their third line alongsideAndré BurakovskyandTom Wilsonfor their opening night matchup.As the season continued, the Capitals forward lines were constantly being switched up and Eller rarely had the same linemates for more than a few games.He scored two goals in his first 17 games with the Capitals before suffering an upper-body injury during a game against theDetroit Red Wingson 19 November.He returned to the Capitals lineup on 24 November for a game against theSt. Louis Bluesafter missing one game.Through December and January, Eller was matched withBrett Connollyand Burakovsky and the three had combined for 18 goals through 14 games.They also helped the Capitals maintain a four-game winning streak by totaling six goals and 11 points as a line.However, their success was shortlived as Burakovsky suffered an injury to his right hand in mid-February and Eller was reunited withZach Sanford.In his first year with the Capitals, Eller helped the team qualify for the2017 playoffsand clinch a second consectuivePresidents' Trophy.During Game 3 of Round One against the Maple Leafs, Eller took a penalty leading to the Maple Leafs winning in overtime.However, the Capitals recovered and beat the eighth-seeded Leafs in six games to face the second-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in Round Two.As the Capitals began trailing the Penguins, Eller gained new line mates in captainAlexander Ovechkinand Tom Wilson during Game 6.Once the Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs, Eller had accumulated three assists in seven games.Following their early elimination, the Capitals released their protection list prior to the2017 NHL Expansion Draftwhich included Eller.

Eller returned to the Capitals for the2017–18 seasonfor the final year of his contract prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent. On 10 February 2018, Eller signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract extension with the Capitals. At the time of the signing, he had recorded 11 goals and 28 points through 53 games.He finished the season with 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points in 81 games as the Capitals as a team finished as the second-seed in the East. On 7 June 2018, Eller won his firstStanley Cupwhen the Capitals defeated the first-yearVegas Golden Knightsin five games. Eller scored the Cup-clinching goal, and finished theplayoffswith seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in all 24 games.He became the first NHL player born inDenmarkto win a Stanley Cup and became the first player to bring the Cup to Denmark.

Following their Stanley Cup win, Eller returned to the Capitals lineup and took up more responsibility on the ice. On 3 October 2018, in the2018–19 seasonopener in a 7–0 win over theBoston Bruins,Eller mocked the Boston Bruins' bench after scoring a goal, which provoked a much discussed fight in which he was beaten and bloodied by the smaller Bruins forwardBrad Marchand.It was the first fight of Eller's career.On 19 October Eller recorded three assists in a 6–5 win over theFlorida Panthersto set a single-game personal best for his NHL career.He continued to produce offensively through late October and early November and he combined with Brett Connolly for nine points over that span.As a result of numerous injuries to the Capitals in November, Eller earned more playing time while centering the top line alongside Ovechkin and Tom Wilson.As the Capitals experienced a four-game losing streak to start the month of January, Eller was moved up from the third line to center the second line betweenJakub Vránaand Tom Wilson.The team broke their losing streak at seven games with a 4–3 win overCalgary Flameson 1 February but Eller left the game early due to a lower-body injury.As such, he missed his first game of the seasonbefore rejoining the lineup for a 3–2 win over theVancouver Canucks.OnceCarl Hagelinjoined the Capitals lineup in March, Eller was teamed up with him for his first game and tallied an assist on his first Capitals goal. The assist was his 22nd on the season, matching his single-season best.He subsequently helped the Capitals clinch their fourth straight Metropolitan Division title and helped them prepare for a long playoff berth.After the Capitals were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in Round One, Eller joined Denmark at the2019 IIHF World Championship.

Eller (middle) battling againstJakub VoráčekandZack Werenskiin February 2022

In the shortened2019–20 season,Eller recorded a career-high 39 points while matching his previous best in assists with 23.Despite his overall success, Eller's season began slowly as he was scratched from a preseason game due to a lower-body injury.He returned the following game and stepped up to fill in forEvgeny Kuznetsovin a top-six role on a line with Jakub Vrana andT. J. Oshie.He began the season on this line and tallied three assists before Kuznetsov returned on 7 October.Eller was paired withRichard Pánikuntil his trade in February forIlya Kovalchukwho quickly became his linemate. They led the Capitals to consecutive mid-January home games over Carolina and New Jersey by taking on greater defensive responsibilities. As a result for his defensive focus, their line combined for just 18 goals through the first 80 percent of the season.Once the NHL was resumed play following a pause due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,Eller joined the Capitals in the Eastern Conference Hub to play the Stanley Cup Qualifiers against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Colorado Avalanche (2023)

On 1 March 2023, the Capitals traded Eller to theColorado Avalanchein exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.With the Capitals in the midst of aWest Coastroad trip, Eller immediately made his debut with the Avalanche that night atBall Arenain Denver, Colorado, playing in a third-line center role of a 7-5 defeat to theNew Jersey Devils.He completed the regular season in posting 3 goals and 7 points through 24 appearances. He was scoreless in the post-season as the Avalanche lost a seven game first-round series against theSeattle Kraken.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–present)

Un-signed by the Avalanche at the conclusion of his contract, Eller as a free agent was signed to a two-year, $4.9 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on 1 July 2023.On 27 January 2024, Eller played his1,000th NHL game,becoming the first Danish player to do so.

Personal life

Lars Eller grew up inRødovre,Denmark. His father, Olaf Eller, is a formerDanish internationalice hockey player and former coach of several teams in theSuperisligaen,as well asTroja/Ljungbyin Sweden. Olaf Eller is also acolor commentatorfor DanishTV 2 Sportfor theIIHF World Championshipsand occasionally for games in theAL-Bank Ligaen.He is also head coach ofEsbjerg IK.His younger brotherMads(born 25 June 1995) played one season for theAdirondack Thunderof theECHL,and had also played junior hockey forFrölunda HCand representedDenmarkat the2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.Their half brother Michael Smidt has also represented the Danish national team and played all his career in Denmark - including 17 seasons for theRødovre Mighty Bullswhere he also was captain for six seasons before he retired in 2014.Eller and his wife, Julie, have two children.

Career statistics

Eller at the 2010 World Championships
Medal record
RepresentingDenmark
Men'sice hockey
IIHF World U18 Championship
	2006 Latvia	Division I Group B
	2007 Poland	Division I Group B
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
	2007 Sweden	Division I Group A
	2009 Canada	Division I Group B

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004–05	Rødovre SIK	DNK U20		28	21	26	47	20		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Rødovre SIK	DNK.2		1	3	1	4	0		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Frölunda HC	J18 Allsv		8	2	4	6	10		2	0	0	0	0
2005–06	Frölunda HC	J20		36	7	7	14	6		2	0	0	0	0
2006–07	Frölunda HC	J18 Allsv		2	1	3	4	6		6	3	2	5	8
2006–07	Frölunda HC	J20		39	18	37	55	58		8	4	1	5	24
2007–08	Frölunda HC	J20		9	4	4	8	10		7	5	6	11	14
2007–08	Borås HC	Allsv		19	2	6	8	8		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Frölunda HC	SEL		14	0	2	2	4		7	0	1	1	2
2008–09	Frölunda HC	SEL		48	12	17	29	28		10	3	1	4	12
2009–10	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		70	18	39	57	84		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	St. Louis Blues	NHL		7	2	0	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		77	7	10	17	48		7	0	2	2	4
2011–12	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		79	16	12	28	66		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	JYP	SM-l		15	5	10	15	18		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		46	8	22	30	45		1	0	0	0	0
2013–14	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		77	12	14	26	68		17	5	8	13	18
2014–15	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		77	15	12	27	42		12	1	2	3	4
2015–16	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		79	13	13	26	28		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Washington Capitals	NHL		81	12	13	25	36		13	0	5	5	10
2017–18	Washington Capitals	NHL		81	18	20	38	38		24	7	11	18	18
2018–19	Washington Capitals	NHL		81	13	23	36	37		7	1	2	3	2
2019–20	Washington Capitals	NHL		69	16	23	39	48		5	0	1	1	2
2020–21	Washington Capitals	NHL		44	8	15	23	21		4	0	1	1	0
2021–22	Washington Capitals	NHL		72	13	18	31	40		6	1	2	3	0
2022–23	Washington Capitals	NHL		60	7	9	16	36		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		24	3	4	7	10		7	0	0	0	0
2023–24	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		82	15	16	31	32		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1,036	178	224	402	599		103	15	34	49	58

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006	Denmark	WJC18 D1		5	5	5	10	8
2007	Denmark	WJC D1		5	2	5	7	16
2007	Denmark	WJC18 D1		5	3	7	10	6
2008	Denmark	WJC		6	3	3	6	37
2008	Denmark	WC		6	0	2	2	0
2009	Denmark	WJC D1		5	3	3	6	20
2009	Denmark	OGQ		3	1	1	2	8
2010	Denmark	WC		7	2	3	5	8
2012	Denmark	WC		7	3	2	5	14
2016	Denmark	WC		8	1	5	6	12
2019	Denmark	WC		3	2	3	5	6
Junior totals				26	16	23	39	87
Senior totals				34	9	16	25	48

Awards and honours

Award	Year	Ref
NHL
Stanley Cupchampion	2018

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orEurohockey,orHockey-Reference,orThe Internet Hockey Database