The 21-year-old has liked his training camp and still has a lot to show for the Capitals.
Hendrix Lapierre has been wanting to return to the Washington Capitals roster ever since getting a six-game tint and taste of the big leagues back in 2021. And now, as training camp winds down, he's feeling confident in his chances as he continues the push for a spot.
Lapierre is one of the fringe forwards still up in D.C., competing with the likes of Matthew Phillips, Aliaksei Protas, Beck Malenstyn, Connor McMichael and more for a roster spot. And on Thursday, he'll get one final big chance to show head coach Spencer Carbery why he deserves an extended stay, as he'll center Alex Ovechkin and Ivan Miroshnichenko.
"We'll get a look at Lappy," Spencer Carbery said Thursday. "The reason behind that is wanna see Hendrix. We showcase him, wanna see him playing in a real prominent role, wanna get a look at what that looks like, how he responds, what his game looks like in that role."
For Lapierre, he's ready to seize the opportunity.
"I feel really good," Lapierre told The Hockey News. "My summer was great. I did what I wanted to do... I have my chance on Thursday to show what I'm made of in Columbus. I feel like so far, it's been pretty good. I'm trying to have a positive attitude and positive energy."
The 21-year-old is coming off of his first pro season with the AHL's Hershey Bears, where he had 30 points in 60 games, experienced ups and downs and had the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final that ultimately helped his team clinch. It worked wonders for his confidence, and with a shorter summer, he was able to focus on different fundamentals of his game, which he believes benefitted him.
Now, as the team ponders its final decisions, he is ready to show the coaching staff that he's earned an extended look, and that means focusing on his own game and keeping things simple.
"The coaching staff, they just want us to show what we're made of... Carbs just wants us to push ourselves," Lapierre said, adding, "Play your game as best as you can... we're all good. We're getting ready for whenever we want to play, and I'll be ready when my turn comes."