Lars Eller Bio
Lars Fosgaard Eller (born 8 May 1989) is a Danish professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed “the Tiger,” he plays centre, shoots left, and stands 6 ft 2 in tall. Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2007 NHL entry draft, Eller has built a long career across North America and Europe. He is best known for becoming the first person from Denmark to win the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Early Life and Background
Lars Fosgaard Eller was born on 8 May 1989 in Rødovre, Denmark, a suburb of Copenhagen with a strong ice hockey tradition. He grew up in Rødovre and was raised in a hockey household, which shaped his early development as a player. His father, Olaf Eller, is a former Danish international ice hockey player who also coached in the Superisligaen in Denmark and at Troja/Ljungby in Sweden. Olaf Eller later became a color commentator for Danish TV 2 Sport during IIHF World Championships and served as head coach of Esbjerg IK.
Through his father, Lars was exposed to professional-level hockey from a young age and trained within the Danish system. He developed his skills with the Rødovre program before being selected as a high prospect for the NHL. His half brother Michael Smidt also represented the Danish national team and spent 17 seasons with the Rødovre Mighty Bulls, while his younger brother Mads Eller played one season for the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL and represented Denmark at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Path to Hockey
Eller began his competitive career in Sweden, spending part of the 2007–08 season with Borås in the HockeyAllsvenskan on loan from Frölunda HC. His performances in Swedish hockey established him as the highest-ranked Danish-born and trained player ever taken in the NHL draft at that time. He moved to North America for the 2009–10 season and split time between the St. Louis Blues and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen.
During his development year with Peoria, Eller was named AHL Rookie of the Month for March 2010 and was selected to the 2009–10 AHL All-Rookie Team. He also represented Denmark at multiple World Championships, gaining valuable senior international experience alongside his club career. These formative years in Sweden and the AHL prepared him for a long NHL career as a dependable two-way centre.
Lars Eller Career
Early Career (2009–2010)
Eller made his NHL debut on 5 November 2009 with the St. Louis Blues in a game against the Calgary Flames. He scored the Blues’ lone goal, beating Miikka Kiprusoff off a deflection, and registered three shots on goal in 9:42 minutes of ice time. He appeared in five NHL games that season before returning to Peoria, finishing his first NHL campaign with seven games for the Blues.
His rookie pro season in the AHL was recognized across the league, earning him Rookie of the Month honors and a place on the All-Rookie Team. On 17 June 2010, Eller was traded by the Blues to the Montreal Canadiens, along with Ian Schultz, in exchange for goaltender Jaroslav Halák. The trade launched the next phase of his career.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2010–2016)
Eller joined the Canadiens ahead of the 2010–11 season and initially played alongside Tomáš Plekanec and Michael Cammalleri. After a slow offensive start, he found chemistry with Travis Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn, helping drive a five-game, seven-point streak by early March. During the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Boston Bruins, he logged heavy minutes on the shutdown unit and finished third on the team with 18 hits despite playing through a dislocated shoulder.
In 2011–12, Eller produced his first career hat-trick on 4 January 2012, scoring four goals and an assist in a 7–3 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. He became the first Montreal Canadien to score four goals at home in a single game since 27 February 1993. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he signed with JYP Jyväskylä in Finland’s Liiga, recording five goals and 10 assists in 15 games. The following season, he centered the “Kid Line” with Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher and was named Second Star of the Week in October 2013. He suffered a serious concussion during the 2013 playoffs after an open-ice hit by Ottawa’s Eric Gryba but returned healthy the next season.
Eller set career highs in goals, assists, points, and games played in 2013–14 and was a key factor as the Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference finals. On 24 July 2014, he signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension. Over six seasons in Montreal, he became a reliable middle-six centre known for faceoffs, penalty killing, and physical play.
Washington Capitals Era (2016–2023)
On 24 June 2016, Eller was traded to the Washington Capitals for two second-round picks. He centered the third line with André Burakovsky and Tom Wilson and helped the Capitals qualify for the 2017 playoffs while clinching a second consecutive Presidents’ Trophy. On 10 February 2018, with 11 goals and 28 points in 53 games, he signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract extension.
In the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals, Eller scored the Cup-clinching goal as the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. He finished the playoffs with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 24 games, becoming the first NHL player born in Denmark to win the Stanley Cup and the first to bring the Cup to Denmark. In 2019–20, he recorded a career-high 39 points while matching his personal best with 23 assists. He continued as a trusted two-way centre for Washington for seven seasons.
Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–2024)
On 1 March 2023, the Capitals traded Eller to the Colorado Avalanche, and he made his debut that night at Ball Arena in Denver. He posted three goals and four assists in 24 regular-season games before becoming a free agent. On 1 July 2023, he signed a two-year, $4.9 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. On 27 January 2024, he became the first Danish player to appear in 1,000 NHL games.
Return to Washington and Ottawa Senators Era (2024–Present)
On 12 November 2024, the Penguins traded Eller back to the Washington Capitals for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick. Following his second stint in Washington, he signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Ottawa Senators for the 2025–26 season on 1 July 2025. In January 2026, Eller was named to Denmark’s men’s Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Driving Style and Strengths
Eller is recognized as a defensively responsible two-way centre with strong faceoff ability and penalty-kill value. He complements skilled linemates with a heavy shot, aggressive forechecking, and reliable defensive positioning. His veteran presence and willingness to play in all situations have made him a steady middle-six contributor throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Eller’s signature moment came on 7 June 2018, when he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Washington Capitals, becoming the first Danish-born player to win the Cup. He later became the first Danish player to play 1,000 NHL games on 27 January 2024, cementing his status as Denmark’s most accomplished NHLer.
Lars Eller Career Wins
Eller has accumulated a steady list of team and personal achievements across more than a decade in the NHL, highlighted by a Stanley Cup championship in 2018.
NHL Highlights
Eller’s most prominent NHL win came with the Washington Capitals in 2018, when he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal against the Vegas Golden Knights. He also helped the Capitals clinch two Presidents’ Trophies and four consecutive Metropolitan Division titles. With Montreal, he played a central role on multiple playoff runs, including a trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2014.
Other Wins & Performances
During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Eller played for JYP Jyväskylä in Finland’s Liiga and posted five goals and 10 assists in 15 games. He was named AHL Rookie of the Month for March 2010 and selected to the AHL All-Rookie Team that same season. He also represented Denmark at five World Championships and was named to the 2026 Danish Olympic team.
Lars Eller Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Eller comes from one of Denmark’s most prominent hockey families. His father, Olaf Eller, played for the Danish national team, coached across the Superisligaen and in Sweden, and later served as a TV 2 Sport commentator. His half brother Michael Smidt captained the Rødovre Mighty Bulls for six seasons, and his younger brother Mads Eller played for the Adirondack Thunder and represented Denmark at the junior level.
Personal Life
Lars Eller and his wife, Julie, have two children. He grew up in Rødovre and remains closely tied to Denmark, having trained there during NHL off-seasons. His international career and family legacy continue to influence Danish hockey at the grassroots level.
2025 Season Performance
Lars Eller entered the 2025 calendar year with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded back to the Washington Capitals on 12 November 2024. After completing his second stint in Washington, he signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Ottawa Senators for the 2025–26 season on 1 July 2025, continuing his role as a veteran two-way centre and penalty-kill specialist.
In January 2026, Eller was named to Denmark’s men’s Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking another milestone for Danish hockey. His leadership and experience are expected to guide a young Senators roster while he prepares for what could be one of the final chapters of his professional career.
Looking ahead, Eller remains a steady, defense-first presence who can contribute offensively when given top-six minutes. With his Olympic selection and NHL contract secured, 2025 represents a transitional but rewarding season for one of Denmark’s hockey pioneers.
