"The idea of a Phillip Danault return to the Montreal Canadiens has quietly made its way into the rumour mill, and while nothing is imminent, there is enough smoke to justify a closer look. According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Kings may be open to moving the veteran centre, and more surprisingly, Danault himself would not be against a change of scenery, Elliotte Friedman mentioned."
"His production this season, just five assists in 29 games, is far below his usual standards, raising questions about whether Los Angeles might prefer to shift in a different direction. At $5.5 million this year and next, his contract is not insignificant, especially for a player struggling to generate offence. Still, Danault remains one of the NHL's better defensive centres, a reliable matchup pivot who drives play, kills penalties, and brings structure to any lineup."
"The Rumour Danault's availability is not entirely surprising. The Kings have internal options down the middle, are juggling cap concerns, and may feel that the offensive drop-off no longer justifies the cap hit. His defensive game remains strong, but the lack of production creates tension between value and cost. Meanwhile, his openness to a trade adds another layer; players rarely leak such information unless they sense a shift from the organization."
"For Montreal, the connection is obvious. Danault spent the prime of his career here, played a massive role in the team's run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, and established himself as one of the league's most trusted shutdown centres. A reunion, at least emotionally, is easy to picture. But emotions alone cannot justify a hockey trade when the Canadiens are building around a young core."
Phillip Danault may be available from the Los Angeles Kings and would be open to a change of scenery. His offensive production this season has fallen sharply, with just five assists in 29 games, raising questions about his scoring value. Danault carries a $5.5 million cap hit for this season and next, creating a significant cost for limited offense. He remains a high-quality defensive centre, providing matchup reliability, penalty killing, and structural stability. The Kings face internal depth and cap considerations that could motivate a move. Montreal has familiarity with Danault and would gain a veteran shutdown pivot, but integrating him must align with the team's rebuild.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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