The Washington Capitals drafted center Hendrix Lapierre from the Chicoutimi Saqueneens of the QMJHL 22nd overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The Capitals, who originally held the 24th overall pick, traded up two spots to land the 18-year old prospect.
Washington sent the Calgary Flames their third-round pick (80th overall) in addition to the No. 24 overall pick to move up.
As for Lapierre, he is projected to be a first-line center someday and top-10 talent, if he can stay healthy. Lapierre, the No. 1 overall pick in the QMJHL in 2018, has dealt with concussion and neck injuries in the past two seasons.
He suffered his first concussion in February 2019, but still claimed the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, he was unable to build off his first year, as two collisions early (Oct. 23 and Nov. 21) in his second year led to what was believed to be his second and third concussions.
However, after enduring lingering symptoms months later, doctors were able to rule out the second and third concussions, diagnosing him with a neck-related injury.
Concussion and neck-related injuries are very much serious. Thus, the selection of Lapierre is a high-risk and high reward pickup. It’s apparent the Capitals feel it’s more of a high reward by trading up for him. The Capitals presumably wanted to jump the Philadelphia Flyers, who had the 23rd overall pick, to prevent the potential selection of Lapierre. The Flyers would take forward Tyson Foerster.
Lapierre has game-changing speed. He is a puck-dominant forward, that create for others. As a rookie, he posted 45 points points in 48 games in the QMJHL. Last season he had 17 points in 19 games.
If healthy, many believe he can be a dominant player for the future for Washington.
