The Pittsburgh Penguins posted a 3-4-0 record through the first seven games of the 2024-25 NHL season and lost both of their last two games by three goals.
While Sidney Crosby is the captain and leader of the team on and off the ice, head coach Mike Sullivan has seen Lars Eller step up as a leader during the Penguins’ early-season struggles.
“I think he commands a lot of respect, just given his body of work in the league,” Sullivan told reporters following Penguins practice in Calgary on Tuesday, per team-provided video. “He’s a Stanley Cup champion. He’s a good pro, the way he plays himself, how he trains off the ice, how he trains on the ice. He’s just a great example for all players on just how to set yourself up for success.”
Sullivan continued: “So I think our players have a lot of respect for Lars. His opinions matter and they’re valued. What I can tell you is I think he has a certain humility to him. He doesn’t speak a lot, but when he does, I think he has some valuable insights that we can all learn from and benefit from.”
Eller signed a two-year, $4.9 million contract with the Penguins in the offseason. He has four goals and two assists in seven games this season.
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The 16-year NHL veteran has tallied 182 goals and 226 assists in 1,043 games with the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche. Eller helped lead Washington to its first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2017-18. He recorded seven goals and 10 assists in 24 postseason games for the Capitals.
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