Lars Eller rejoined the Washington Capitals at the start of the 2024-25 NHL season following a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins involving draft picks. Eller resumed his familiar position as the center on the third line, the same spot he held when he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2018, securing the franchise’s first championship.
The season became particularly memorable as Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals’ long-time captain, made NHL history by breaking the all-time goals record with his 895th goal on April 6 during a game against the New York Islanders. This milestone occurred as Ovechkin continued an impressive scoring pace at age 39, tallying 44 goals in 65 games.
Reflecting on Ovechkin’s Historic Goal-Scoring Feat
During a podcast appearance on
“Coming in Hot with Wallace and York,”
Eller expressed admiration for Ovechkin’s consistency and determination leading up to the milestone. He noted Ovechkin’s awareness that the record was within reach and how his performance remained exceptional, even after recovering from a broken leg.
“What’s there to say about him? He’s just one of a kind, special, unique talent combination of physicality and a shot we might never see again. But also a drive to never quit and wanting more and more and more. I think that’s the biggest thing, right? There’s been other guys that’s scored 40, 50, 60 goals, but not for year 20 for him. It is kind of ridiculous when you think about it that his body has been holding up and his mind is still, he can still motivate himself to wanting more.”
—Lars Eller, Washington Capitals center
Eller acknowledged that while Ovechkin’s goal-scoring chase generated a lot of buzz, it ultimately benefited the team by providing focus and motivation at the right moments.
“There was certainly a lot of stuff happening around that, There was a lot of talk. It was a lot. I think it was good for us to get it done a week or two before the playoffs so it wasn’t something that was going right into the playoffs. Because I was like after, now we can focus on the hockey again. I think that period was enough for us to take the focus away from that and prepare properly for what came next, the playoffs around the corner. If it was dragged into Game 81 or Game 82, maybe that wasn’t good for the team. But I felt the way it played out, it didn’t hurt us. On the contrary, there was so much joy and sharing these special moments; it was very unique. A lot of people will never forget as teammates taking part of that.”
—Lars Eller, Washington Capitals center
Ovechkin’s Generous Gift to His Teammates and Staff
Following the landmark achievement, Ovechkin surprised the Capitals’ team and staff with customized Hublot watches, a gesture of appreciation tied to his ongoing partnership with the brand. Eller revealed that the watches were given not only to players but also to trainers and other staff members.
“Ovi got Hublot watches for everyone, Customized Hublot watches. I think he even got it for trainers and staff members, not just the players.”
—Lars Eller, Washington Capitals center
This presents a continuation of Ovechkin’s relationship with Hublot, which began in 2019 when he was named a friend of the brand. In 2021, the company released a limited-edition watch honoring the Russian superstar.
Ovechkin’s Statistical Appreciation for His Teammates
During the team’s return journey from Long Island, Ovechkin took time to review and share his scoring statistics with the group, highlighting the players who assisted on his goals. Eller noted his own significant contributions to Ovechkin’s success on the ice.
“We looked through [who assisted on all his goals], [Ovi] read through it. He read out loud on the bus on his goals, who had the most. I think I had four or five assists in there. So I was like in the top 25, I think.”
—Lars Eller, Washington Capitals center
In fact, Eller assisted on eight of Ovechkin’s goals, placing him 37th all time in career assists to Ovechkin. Nicklas Backstrom leads with 279 assists, followed by John Carlson (158) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (110). Ovechkin also has assisted on six of Eller’s 188 career goals, including three primary assists.
Eller’s Future with the Ottawa Senators and Continuing Connection to Washington
This summer, Eller signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators, but he plans to keep his family home in the Washington, DC area. He will train and skate locally before attending the Senators’ training camp later in the fall.
Team Progress and the 2024-25 Season’s Impact
Reflecting on the Capitals’ 2024-25 campaign, Eller praised the young players’ development and the team’s transformation following a narrow playoff qualification the previous season. Under Ovechkin’s leadership, the Capitals finished as the Eastern Conference’s top team in the regular season.
“A lot of young guys took huge steps forward and we just became a really good team, Both our goalies playing well. It was like every young player took a step. It felt like some of the guys took two or three steps forward and became young established players who became really good NHL players. And then, yeah, you can put together a season like that. Probably a lot better than what a lot of people thought.”
—Lars Eller, Washington Capitals center
The combination of veteran leadership and emerging talent positioned the Capitals as serious contenders, setting an optimistic tone for future seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Lars eller?
A. Besides joining the Senators next season, Eller will represent Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics. His contribution was crucial in helping Denmark qualify. Among Danish players in NHL history, Eller stands third in scoring. He has achieved 424 career points, with 188 goals and 236 assists.
Q. How good is Lars eller?
A. Eller has scored 14 points, with 52 shots on goal, 30 hits, and 18 blocked shots in 37 games for the Capitals and Penguins this season. He has 22 penalty minutes and a minus-5 rating. Unless many players get injured, he probably won’t move up from the third line.