The Washington Capitals announced today that they have placed forward Lars Eller on injured reserve due to an illness. The move is retroactive to December 17th. In a corresponding transaction, the team has recalled forward Henrik Rybinski from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.
Eller’s Impact on the Capitals
Lars Eller, 35, has been a steady veteran presence for the Capitals since being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in November. In 16 games with Washington this season, the Danish center has tallied two goals and four assists while centering the team’s third line.
Eller is in his second stint with the Capitals after previously playing for the team from 2016 to 2023. He was a key member of Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Lars is an important part of our lineup and we’ll certainly miss him, but the priority is making sure he gets healthy. In the meantime, it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up and contribute more.”
– Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette
Rybinski Gets the Call
With Eller sidelined, the Capitals have turned to 23-year-old forward Henrik Rybinski to fill the void. Rybinski, a 5th round draft pick by the Florida Panthers in 2019, has impressed in his first full AHL season with the Hershey Bears.
- 6 goals and 14 assists in 28 games with Hershey this season
- Tied for 2nd in scoring among Bears forwards
The young forward will look to carry that momentum up to the NHL level as he likely slots into Eller’s spot as the Capitals’ third line center. It’s an opportunity for Rybinski to show he belongs in the big leagues.
Moving Forward Without Eller
There’s no timetable yet for Eller’s return as he recovers from his illness. The veteran Dane has been a stabilizing presence down the middle for a Capitals team currently sitting just outside of a wildcard playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Washington will lean more heavily on top centers Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dylan Strome in Eller’s absence. The team is also hoping Rybinski and other young forwards like Aliaksei Protas and Sonny Milano can rise to the occasion with increased roles.
The Capitals’ forward depth will certainly be tested in the coming days and weeks, but they’ve overcome injuries before. Now the team will look to band together and tread water in the competitive Eastern playoff race until Eller is able to return to the lineup.
