Phillip Danault Comes Home as Canadiens Bet on Experience Over the Holidays
So here’s one of those hockey stories that feels both surprising and familiar at the same time. Late Friday night, just over an hour before the NHL’s holiday trade freeze kicked in, the Montreal Canadiens quietly pulled off a move that instantly grabbed attention. Phillip Danault is back in Montreal.
The Canadiens announced they had acquired the Quebec-born center from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick. Timing mattered here. Teams had until 11:59 p.m. to finalize trades before Christmas, otherwise everything would have been put on hold until December 27. Montreal didn’t wait. The call was made, the deal was done, and Danault was on his way back to a city where his NHL career truly took shape.
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At 32 years old, Danault returns with a very clear identity. He has long been known as a defensively reliable center, a faceoff specialist, and a player trusted in tough matchups, especially on the penalty kill. That reputation hasn’t disappeared, even though his role in Los Angeles had been shrinking recently. His ice time on the penalty kill had dropped this season, and offensively, things had gone off the rails. Through 30 games with the Kings, he managed just five assists and no goals, a stunning drop for a player who once scored 27 goals in a season.
Danault himself had admitted he was struggling. In recent weeks, it was openly acknowledged that nothing seemed to work, despite trying everything from extra shooting sessions to mental preparation. He missed the Kings’ last four games, officially due to illness, but trade rumors only grew louder. Eventually, it became clear that both sides had reached the end of the road.
For Montreal, this move isn’t really about goals. It’s about stability and experience. General manager Kent Hughes made it clear that the Canadiens, one of the youngest teams in the league, felt the absence of veteran presence, especially with injuries piling up. Danault’s defensive instincts, leadership, and ability to handle top opposing lines were seen as assets that could help both now and into next season.
Fans will remember Danault’s first stint in Montreal fondly. Over more than five seasons, he played 360 games for the Canadiens, quietly posting strong defensive numbers and a consistently positive plus-minus. And of course, there’s that unforgettable moment in 2021, when his pass set up Artturi Lehkonen’s overtime goal that sent Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final.
Now, Danault gets a second chapter in Montreal. Expectations are realistic, not flashy. He’s expected to anchor defensive minutes, support young players, and bring calm to a lineup still finding its identity. Sometimes, the biggest impact isn’t found on the scoresheet. That’s the bet the Canadiens are making, and once again, Phillip Danault is right at the center of it.
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