Canadiens Acquire Phillip Danault
Phillip Danault has officially returned to Montreal. Late Friday night, just before the NHL’s trade freeze for the holidays, the Canadiens announced the acquisition of the center from the Los Angeles Kings. The trade was finalized at 11:01 PM, just before the 11:59 PM deadline for transactions.
Details of the Trade
In exchange for Danault, the Canadiens will send a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to Los Angeles. The move comes as teams were rushing to make final deals before the Christmas break, as the league will not resume trading until December 27.
Danault’s Role and Performance
Danault is recognized for his defensive skills, particularly in face-offs and penalty kills. However, his ice time in these situations has decreased this season. To date, he has struggled, recording only five assists in 30 games.
Contract and Past Performance
- Danault is in the fifth year of a six-year contract, signed with the Kings in summer 2021.
- The contract averages $5.5 million annually.
- His most productive season to date was his first with Los Angeles, where he posted 27 goals and 54 points.
- Since then, his production has steadily declined, with only eight goals and 43 points last season.
Despite a promising start with the Kings, Danault’s offensive contributions have sharply decreased this autumn, raising questions about his performance and potential impact on the Canadiens moving forward.
