The Washington Capitals have let their Tiger loose for a second time, as Lars Eller signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday afternoon – the first day of NHL free agency.
Eller became an unrestricted free agent after completing the 2024-25 season with the Capitals, the last year on a two-year deal he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023. The Caps reacquired Eller, the owner of the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup-winning goal, from the Pens last November for two draft picks.
Eller recorded 22 points (10g, 12a) in 80 games split between the Capitals and Penguins last season. The 36-year-old played a diminished role for the Caps compared to his previous seven-year stint in DC, averaging just 12:26 of ice time during the regular season. He had not played fewer minutes per game since his rookie 2010-11 campaign with the Montreal Canadiens (11:08).
The Danish centerman played even less in the playoffs, skating just 10:45 of ice time per game. The mark was third-lowest on the team, ahead of only Alex Alexeyev (10:25) and Ryan Leonard (10:09). Eller was also healthy scratched for the Capitals’ Game 5 elimination loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
“It’s disappointing,” Eller said on Breakdown Day. “Disappointing is probably a short way to describe it, yeah.”
Eller will head into his 17th NHL season with the Senators next year, rejoining former Capitals teammate Nick Jensen in Ottawa. The veteran pivot will also dress for Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics after helping his country qualify for the tournament.
Eller ranks third all-time among Danish NHL players in scoring with 424 career points (188g, 236a). His 1,116 career games played are tops among all Danes, 191 more than the second-place Frans Nielsen (925).
