Bargain Hunting With The Minnesota Wild
Feb 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Maxim Lapierre (40) speaks with linesman Brian Murphy (93) as he takes a face-off against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Blue Jackets won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
He may be absolutely everybody’s favourite player of all time, but Lapierre doesn’t throw up many points. He’d likely be a fourth-line center wherever he lands, but he is good at draws (52.4% in 2014-15) and a proven agitator. He’s kills penalties and, while the numbers don’t show it, he’s got good hands for a fourth-liner.
I saw half of his goals (one of two) this past season live. Against the Ottawa Senators in November he turned defenseman Cody Ceci inside out before beating netminder Robin Lehner between the wickets.
Lapierre can be had cheap, as the 30 year old is coming off a two-year contract with a cap hit of $1,100,000.