Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours from the crew at Last Word on Hockey. We’re inching closer to the Christmas Break, and the standings, particularly in the Eastern Conference, couldn’t be any closer. The Atlantic Division specifically has just nine points separating the division leader from the last-place team. The Montreal Canadiens are sitting in a wildcard spot at the moment and three points back of the division lead. They are a team who is continually looking to improve to secure a berth in the playoffs for the second year in a row. The edition of NHL Rumours focuses on the Canadiens continued search for a second-line centre and their interest in Los Angeles Kings centre Phillip Danault.
All NHL rumours come from their original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours: Canadiens Expressing Interest in Veteran Centre
Rumour: According to Frank Seravalli, the Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams contacting the Kings about potentially bringing Phillip Danault back to Montreal.
Analysis: What a turn of events. The Canadiens were Danault’s last team, which he ultimately decided to leave after the Canadiens Stanley Cup Run in 2021 to sign with the Los Angeles Kings. However, things could be coming back full circle as Danault finds his name in the rumour mill with the Canadiens looking to trade for him a second time.
Danault has been respected as one of the top defensive centres in today’s game. Though his offensive production has been nonexistent this year, having yet to score a goal and producing just five assists in 30 games, his situational play is still high-end. The fact that he has scored at least 43 points in four straight seasons would make you believe that maybe a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered to get him back on track. Regardless, even if he isn’t able to match his past production, his ability to play the shutdown centre role as well as his ability to kill penalties is enough to warrant trading for the veteran pivot.
The Canadiens’ acquisition of Danault would also give them a much-needed left-handed centreman, something the team is starving for. With Alex Newhook out, the only left-handed centre the Canadiens currently have is Joe Veleno. Newhook has also served better as a winger, so it’s certainly something the Canadiens have been in the market for even before the start of the season.
Homecoming for Danault?
Are we potentially looking at a homecoming for Danault? That’s to be determined. However, the Canadiens have all the necessary pieces to get a deal done with the Kings. Danault would be a major add for the Canadiens to help lighten the workload from Nick Suzuki, specifically when it comes to playing the shut down roll and penalty killing. He would also serve as a solid mentor for a lot of the young players they currently have on their club.
Frank Seravalli took it a step further to say he wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him get dealt before the trade freeze on December 19th. This would insinuate that there have been strong talks between the Kings and Danault’s camp. Danault currently holds a 10-team no-trade clause, so the Canadiens would need to be one of the teams he would accept a trade to. It would be hard to believe he wouldn’t accept a deal to go back to his home province.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Danault’s name has been swirling. It looks to just be a matter of time before he is dealt. Whether it will be back to Montreal or to another contender is the question.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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