Penguins Sign Hendrix Lapierre to Two-Year Deal
Locking in a low-cost, controllable depth forward with AHL playoff pedigree preserves Pittsburgh’s cap flexibility as the club addresses multiple restricted free agents.
Overview
- The Penguins announced on Friday that they signed Hendrix Lapierre to a two-year contract with a $1.3 million average annual value that runs through the 2027-28 season.
- Pittsburgh acquired Lapierre from the Washington Capitals days earlier in a trade that sent the Penguins’ 2027 third-round pick and San Jose’s 2028 fifth-round pick to Washington.
- The contract is slightly frontloaded with $1.475 million in 2026-27 and $1.125 million in 2027-28, contains no bonuses or special clauses, and leaves Lapierre an RFA with arbitration rights in 2028.
- Lapierre is a 2020 first-round pick who has strong AHL credentials — two Calder Cups and a 2024 AHL Playoffs MVP — but has struggled for a steady NHL role and posted 16 points in 74 games in 2025-26.
- The signing secures a low-cost depth option while keeping roughly $24 million in cap space and leaves the Penguins to decide contracts for several remaining restricted free agents whose deals will determine lineup competition and minutes.