This past offseason, Lars Eller joined the Ottawa Senators on a one-year contract. The Senators were Eller's sixth different NHL team in his 17-year career.
With the Senators, Eller has been relied on for leadership and quality fourth-line play. Eller so far has done that. Most recently, Eller recorded a two-point game in the Senators' 4-3 win against the Calgary Flames in their last game two night ago. Eller will be relied on for another win against the Montreal Canadiens tonight at 7 p.m. ET.
Eller has the ability to have his game grow more this season. Although he is a former Stanley Cup champion, there's one thing that Eller can have a huge honor of doing this Winter that needs to be discussed.
Being captain for Denmark can be a real possibility for Eller in Olympics
This past June, Eller was one of the six players announced to Team Denmark's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, there is one thing that Eller can have a real shot of having, and should be in discussion for. That is being the captain for Team Denmark.
Eller's game this season has been solid with having six points for the Senators. Eller has been relied on by the Senators to play on the fourth line and special teams.
At 36 years old, Eller is a respected leader in the locker room. With his age and experience of winning, being captain of Team Denmark would be an excellent honor for Eller to have, and a real shot of it happening is realistic.
Eller was captain for Team Denmark when he helped the country earn a spot in the 2026 Olympics in 2024. Now, being captain during the 2026 Olympics only makes sense for Eller.
There could be two other NHL players Team Denmark could select to be captain with their solid play. That is Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Jesper Jensen Aabo may be another option due to him being Team Demark's captain at the 2025 IIHF World Championships, but all three players don't have the NHL experience or a Stanley Cup championship on their resume like Eller does.
Eller has recorded 430 points in 1,128 career games in the NHL, and was part of the Washington Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.
Time will tell if Eller will have a chance to be Team Denmark's captain at the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, with his experience and winning in the NHL, and his solid start with the Senators, it should be in the discussion.