Hendrix Lapierre

February 2024 – Lapierre has surprisingly played in 25 NHL games for the Capitals so far this season. He had just seven points in those games, which is pretty good considering he only saw an average of 9:34 of ice time, playing predominately in the bottom-six. Lapierre was sent back to Hershey for a spell in December, where he points five points in five games (two goals and three assists). He then was called back up and played out the rest of December and most of January before being sent back down to play in the AHL on January 27th. With 14 points in 19 games, Lapierre is having an underratedly good sophomore AHL season but there is one thing that really sticks out when you watch his game: He is never a threat to shoot. He has 21 shots in his 25 NHL games and in the AHL, where he really should take advantage, he has just 29 shots so far. Until Lapierre plays more selfish of a game to throw defenders off, he will need powerplay production and scoring wingers to have any semblance of NHL production. Pat Quinn

October 2023 – After playing in just six games with Hershey, where he registered three assists, Lapierre was called up to the Capitals where he should play but likely will not get much in the way of ice time. Pat Quinn

October 2023 – Lapierre was sent down to Hershey after a solid, yet unspectacular training camp. He should be one of the Bears’ top nine centres this season, and potentially going forward after this season he could become more of an NHL regular. Pat Quinn

July 2023 – Being a Calder Cup champion is great for the development of younger players. Lapierre played well, but not great, in the playoffs with six points in 20 games. He came out of the gate hot with the game winning goal and an assist in game one, but went a stretch where he had one assist in 13 games. In game seven of the finals he had a big goal to tie the game in which the Bears eventually won in overtime. It is likely he will still spend at least another season in the AHL before beginning to push for an NHL spot. Pat Quinn

April 2023 – Lapierre wrapped up his first full AHL season with 30 points in 60 games. A 0.5 points per game production in the AHL is a pretty great rookie season, especially as Lapierre played predominately in the middle-six. He remains great at creating plays, and shooting when he is in a great spot, the only issue with that is that in other spots he is not a threat to shoot so people expect him to pass. Also, do not expect his 43 PIMs to be a mainstay as Lapierre had one night with 15 minutes in penalties, bringing his total to 28 PIMs in 59 games. Pat Quinn

January 2023 – Lapierre is doing well in the AHL for Hershey. He is not blowing the doors open but his 19 points in 36 games are good for fifth on the team in scoring. Lapierre is not a high volume shooter as he prefers to pick his spots to shoot and set up plays for teammates. It may take Lapierre a bit to reach his potential and it appears, as of now, he could do with an extra half season plus in the AHL to start the 2022-23 season. Pat Quinn

September 2022 – To the surprise of many to finish the 2021-22 season in the QMJHL Lapierre really did not play to the standards many had for him. His 51 points in 41 games for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, which he was traded to to begin the season, was good for third best on the team in terms of point per game but many expected him to dominate more. The Titan were loaded though so ice time was at a premium, however, a player of Lapierre’s stature should have broken through. Perhaps I just expected more from him as he is still a high end prospect. For 2022-23 he will have a chance to make the Capitals roster again but with so many one-way contracts, and players that need to clear waivers to be sent down, those odds will be slim at best. Expect him to go to Hershey and take the Capitals slower process for him, which is a bottom six role for year one then top six for year two. Lapierre is good enough to immediately become a top six AHL player though. Pat Quinn

January 2022 – Lapierre’s season has been interesting to say the least. After being sent back to the QMJHL Lapierre posted 14 points in nine games before leaving for Hockey Canada’s WJC camp. After being cut from camp and coming back to the QMJHL he scored four points in two games, and then Acadie-Bathurst was shut down due to COVID. The QMJHL has been shut down since December 18 but will come back January 19 where Lapierre should be back to being a leader amongst the team. Pat Quinn

December 2021 – Lapierre was not included on Canada’s final WJC roster for some unknown reason, and it is even more surprising knowing that he played in the NHL for six games this season. The line up looks as though Canada wanted to go with a top six scoring group and a bottom six grinding group and at C Lapierre did not make the cut. It is an odd decision but hopefully Lapierre takes the cut and uses it as motivation to finish the season. Pat Quinn

October 2021 – With the Backstrom, and additional injuries, Lapierre is getting a longer look in the NHL. He will likely surpass his nine game mark, but it is unknown if he will get past the 40 game mark as that is the magic number to start him becoming an unrestricted free agent. He is only seeing around nine minutes in total ice time per game as Head Coach Laviolette does not trust rookies. He managed to score in his first game and has five shots in his four total games. He is tough to notice because he does not play enough, but you will see him transition the puck well out of his zone and works to find open teammates. Lapierre is somewhat stuck because he is probably too good for the QMJHL, but could still benefit from some time if needed, and he does not get a lot of meaningful NHL minutes. There is still a bright future here, just do not expect a jump in NHL numbers for a bit. Pat Quinn

September 2021 – Lapierre has made the NHL squad after an impressive training camp and exhibition play, but he would not have made it if not for the Backstrom injury and the fact that he cannot be recalled from the QMJHL. The Capitals have quite a few one-way contracts up front and are deep at center. Head Coach Laviolette likely will not trust him enough to give him a good amount of minutes, based on his coaching track record. Lapierre will likely see some games then head back to the QMJHL. Pat Quinn

March 2021 – Lapierre has been in eight more games since the end of January, where he has 14 points. He has missed eight of the teams 23 games as he sits at 15 games played. He is tied for the team lead in points at 26, but he does lead the team with 20 assists. His playmaking ability is on full display every night. Pat Quinn

January 2021 – Lapierre posted four points in two games as his team returned to action in the QMJHL.  Pat Quinn

December 2020 – Lapierre has only played in five QMJHL games to date, where he has eight points (three goals and five assists). The QMJHL also shut down on November 30 and is planning to start back up on January 3, 2021, where Lapierre should continue to be a feature player for Chicoutimi and the league. Pat Quinn

November 2020 – Lapierre immediately becomes the second best forward prospect, and second best fantasy prospect asset, in the Capitals system. It will take him a few seasons to make the roster due to the Capitals contract situation in the NHL, but when he does he will likely be in the top six. Pat Quinn

October 2020 – Lapierre was drafted 22nd overall by the Capitals. Lapierre could push for an NHL job after another year or two in the QMJHL.  Jokke Nevalainen

September 2020 – Lapierre appears healthy and motivated. Skating on a line alongside fellow top 2020 prospect, Dawson Mercer this preseason has woken dreams of his potential. A slick playmaker with a terrific feel for adjusting the speed of the game to suit his desires. Staying healthy will be priority number one for the 18-year-old. Then it’ll be about putting major points on the board. Cam Robinson

February 2020 – Lapierre was having a solid season with 17 points through his first 19 games. He showed his high-IQ and excellent vision as he began to show exactly what kind of playmaker he could become at the next level. Then came a game in late November against Moncton where he and the Wildcats’ captain Jakob Pelletier collided and Lapierre’s head took the brunt of the force. It was his second concussion of the season and his third in less than eight months. He hasn’t played since but has been in good spirits and has said that he hasn’t had headaches in a “very, very, very long time”. He has taken it slowly and knows that although his draft ranking may be affected by his lack of playing, his long term health and the outlook on his hockey career are more important. It’s a big decision for a 17-year-old to make but that’s exactly what Lapierre has done and it has to be commended. He has the skill and if taking an extended absence is what allows him to become the full player that he can become, it may be trading short-term glory for long-term gains. Pat Quinn

August 2019 – After an extremely strong Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Lapierre put his name in the mainstream. Lapierre had 11 points, tying the record heading into the tournament before teammate Cole Perfetti eclipsed it. Lapierre displayed a good shot and high-level playmaking ability. He is an intelligent player who thinks the game at an advanced level. His 200-foot game is impressive for a player yet to be drafted. He shows excellent puck pursuit and he does a fantastic job disrupting passing lanes. He is aggressive in trying to turn the puck over when his team doesn’t have it. In the offensive zone, Lapierre makes excellent passes and helps elevate his teammates. The young Canadian had almost a point-per-game last season in the QMJHL and will look to build on that this season. Lapierre is aplyer to keep an eye on throughout the draft process as he is primed to be a riser as the season wears on. Pat Quinn