Phillip Danault has been traded back to the Montreal Canadiens from the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. This pick was originally acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
At 32 years old, Danault has recorded five points (all assists) in 30 games this season. He has one year left on a six-year, $33 million contract, with an annual average value of $5.5 million, which he signed with the Kings in July 2021.
Danault previously played for the Canadiens for six seasons, scoring 194 points (54 goals, 140 assists) in 360 games from 2016 to 2021. Montreal’s general manager, Kent Hughes, expressed optimism about Danault’s return. He expects Danault to join the Canadiens for their upcoming game against the Boston Bruins.
Hughes mentioned that Danault’s experience will be valuable to the team. “He has been here before. Fans know who he is as a player,” he said. Hughes also emphasized that he believes Danault’s current performance doesn’t reflect his true talent. The hope is that returning to Montreal will rejuvenate Danault and help him find his previous form.
Historically, Danault was a first-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Draft. Over his career, he has tallied 399 points (125 goals, 274 assists) in 741 games played for the Blackhawks, Canadiens, and Kings. In playoff appearances, Danault has added 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 62 games.
Expert analysts suggest that player trades like this can significantly shift a team’s dynamics. In Danault’s case, returning to a familiar environment could spark performance improvement, especially given the current data indicating that players often excel upon returning to previous teams.
As fans eagerly await Danault’s return, reactions on social media have mixed sentiments, with many hopeful that he can rekindle the synergy he once shared with the team.
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