By fourth-line center standards, Lapierre was quite serviceable for the Blues last season, notching nine goals and six assists in 71 games, while still frequently pestering opponents (78 PIM). Though some of that penalty time came on a dirty hit to the head on the Sharks’ Dan Boyle in October, Lapierre mostly kept things clean while making his impact felt. Still, his value in specialty leagues appears to be headed downhill, as his 87 hits last season represented a steep fall from the 244 he collected over 82 games in 2011-12. Moreover, the Blues beefed up their bottom-six depth in the off-season with the additions of Jori Lehtera and Joakim Lindstrom, and the resigning of Steve Ott, all of whom could make Lapierre a more frequent fixture in the press box.
Lapierre was signed as a free agent this offseason and he will most likely fill the role of number one pest in St. Louis. The nine-year veteran will find himself on the third or fourth line, and occasionally on the penalty-kill, which has been his role since he entered the league. If your league counts penalty minutes then Lapierre may be worth an end game pick since he may put up around 20 points. And that's better than your average pylon in goon leagues.
Lapierre established himself as a consistent fourth-line producer in his first full season with the Canucks last year, averaging 11 minutes of ice time while playing in all 82 games, finishing with 19 points (9 G, 10 A) and a career-high 130 penalty minutes. The 27-year-old center is set to be a grinder for the Canucks once again this season. His point totals won’t come into play in many formats, but his newfound talent of racking up high penalty minute totals are worth a look in formats that reward trips to the sin bin.
Lapierre was one of the trade deadline acquisitions for the Canucks last season. The 26-year-old forward managed just one goal in 19 games with Vancouver, while skating on the third and fourth lines. He’ll be playing a similar role this season, so don’t expect big production from Lapierre going forward.
Lapierre had a terrible season in 2009-10 for the Habs. He finished the season with some of his worst season totals in goals (7), assists (7), points (14) and a minus-14 rating. He showed his frustration last year by getting suspended four games in March for an illegal hit on Scott Nichol, which cost him close to $15,000. Lapierre should be centering the third or fourth line for the Canadiens this year but his time will be tested by moves the Habs made to re-sign Dustin Boyd and call up Ben Maxwell.
Lapierre broke out last year with career-highs in games played (79), goals (15), assists (13), points (28), plus-minus (plus-9), and penalty minutes (76). He more than doubled his previous best in goals, which included his first career hat trick on December 29 against Florida, and finished second on the team among forwards in plus-minus. For the first time in his career he remained with Montreal for an entire season with no stints in AHL Hamilton. Winner of the Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy last year, which is awarded to the team’s unsung hero, the speedster was called on a number of times to attempt to decide the outcome of a shootout, which tells you that Montreal has confidence in the up-and-comer’s skills. In his three chances to win shootouts last season, he connected on two of them. With his skill set and the fact that the Habs’ have confidence in his game, Lapierre should be able to continue, if not improve upon, where he left off last season.
Lapierre is battling Kyle Chipchura for the fourth-line checking center gig. Whether he wins that battle or not, Lapierre has zero roto value.
Lapierre emerged last season as an effective checking line center, thereby making the overpaid Radek Bonk an easy castoff. Lapierre now owns the spot and can display his acumen for getting under the opposition's skin on a nightly basis. Still, the young centerman has no fantasy value.
