The Montreal Canadiens have flown under the radar the last few days as other teams have lit up the NHL trade scene. But that doesn’t mean the Habs are sitting on their hands.
After the Canadiens lost Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, the chatter has suggested Montreal is seeking a center. Well, they were already looking for one. But now, the search has merely intensified.
Interestingly, one name that’s surfaced in the last couple of weeks is one that Canadiens fans are familiar with. That name is LA Kings center Phillip Danault.
Speculation has surrounded Danault, given his purported trade request. However, several insiders have dismissed this rumor as untrue. What has been picked up over the last couple of weeks is that teams have called about his availability. It’s uncertain if the Canadiens are among those teams.
Nevertheless, several insiders have picked up on this story. They have reported that the LA Kings are willing to trade Danault amid his current struggles. Entering Tuesday night’s action, the 32-year-old has no goals and five assists in 30 games this season.
So, if Danault needs a change of scenery, wouldn’t the Canadiens be a good fit? That possibility could come to fruition, considering the upcoming Christmas roster trade freeze. As insider Frank Seravalli pointed out, a possible trade could happen as early as this week.
He noted:
“Will we see a trade materialize by Friday night [trade freeze]? I think there’s a solid possibility that that happens when it comes to Phillip Danault and the Kings.”
As such, if the Canadiens really wanted Danault, they could push to make the trade happen this week. Otherwise, a more realistic timeline could be early January.
Danault Rode Great Seasons with Canadiens into Free Agency
Danault was originally a first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Draft. He played in 32 games with the Blackhawks before being part of a trade to the Canadiens. From there, Danault established himself as a solid NHL center.
The 32-year-old rose to prominence during the COVID 2020-21 season. The Canadiens went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Danault, meanwhile, was one of the key cogs that led the Canadiens to their improbable run.
His fantastic run translated into a six-year, $33 million deal with the LA Kings in the summer of 2021. And Danault has not disappointed. He set a career-high with 27 goals in his first season in Tinseltown. He’s followed that up with consistent 40-50 point seasons.
However, his declining production since the 2021-22 season could have been a sign of things to come.
Why Returning to Montreal Could Rekindle Danault’s Career
A return to the Canadiens could be what Danault needs to rekindle his career. Getting back to familiar stomping grounds often helps players recalibrate their focus. So, that could be the sort of change Danault might need to get back on track.
Again, there’s nothing solid to suggest that the Canadiens are in hot pursuit of Danault at this time. But it’s hard not to overlook the natural connection between the two parties.
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