The Washington Capitals are going into what's expected to be an interesting offseason, as they look to add some pieces and remain a contender while also starting to prepare for the post-Alex Ovechkin era. But one question mark surrounds restricted free agent Hendrix Lapierre.
Lapierre is coming off an up-and-down year with the Capitals, where he started the season up in D.C. but was ultimately sent down to the AHL's Hershey Bears following struggles that began in training camp and lingered through the first months of the year.
"I have no idea, honestly (what happened)," Lapierre told The Hockey News of his struggles to start the season. "I think I was just not playing well... I had a great summer, felt good, worked hard. So it was kind of weird to arrive and have a tough camp."
Though Lapierre was able to put up a point per game down in Hershey, there are still things he has to work on, including consistency in his overall game.
"When we sent Hendrix down, we had a good, hard talk with him about what the expectations are going down to Hershey and what we’re going to be looking for," general manager Chris Patrick said.
Lapierre is a restricted free agent, and given the trajectory of his career and the team's future plans, a bridge deal seems like the logical next step. But what will his role be next season?
That's up to him. Washington is expecting Lapierre to come into training camp and force the coaching staff's hand. Whether that's him remaining up as a winger or winning that third-line center role remains to be seen, though that job is now Connor McMichael's to lose.
"I think (his play in Hershey’s) put him in a good position here to say, ‘Hey, I’m deserving of this opportunity,'" Patrick said. "I hope he comes in and has a great training camp and really comes in and makes some tough decisions for the coaching staff."
