Yesterday, Frank Seravalli reported that several teams were inquiring about the availability of Kings centre Philip Danault. 

Sources: Trade chatter is picking up around #LAKings center Phil Danault. Multiple teams have inquired with LA on his availability, Danault has emerged as a target amid thin center market.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 6, 2025

He has had a rough offensive start to the season, posting only 5 assists in 28 games. He’s never been a huge goal scorer, but his offensive output is normally better than what he’s producing currently. If I were the Oilers, I would try my best to acquire him. The following are what he would bring to the team.

During the 2024-2025 season, Daneault was a +20 player five on five while being matched up often with the top offensive players on opposing teams. Furthermore, over his entire career he has a 53.1 % in the face off dot, so he can be relied upon to take draws late in the game and in important situations. Also, he would be a mainstay on the Oilers penalty kill which is sitting 18th in the league at 80.8% and is in need of some help if they want to make the playoffs and contend for a Cup.

This move would give the Oilers a wealth of depth at centre and would ensure that RNH remains on McDavids wing. Having McDavid, Draisaitl, Daneault and Henrique as the Oilers main centre, while also having the option of RNH will ensure they can always have someone reliable in the dot when protecting a lead late in the game.

Here comes the real issue, what would be the cost of acquiring Danaut and how to make it fit under the cap. Currently, the Oilers have 159k in cap space, while Danault is making 5.5 this year and the next, so the Oilers would need to move some salary. Henrique would be an option as he’s earning 3 million and is a UFA at the end of the season, but I’m not sure the Kings would be interested in taking him on unless the Oilers also include a mix of good young players and high draft picks, which they are lacking. If they could convince the Kings to retain 50% of Danauts cap hit, it would work, but again, I think other teams would be able to outbid the Oilers easily. 

If their best offer is say Henrique (for salary purposes), a second round 2026 pick and young player like Isaac Howard for Daneault at 50% retained, I wonder if that would be enough. They may need to offer up their 2027 first round pick, which would make the 2026 first round pick they gave up in the Waleman trade top 12 unprotected, so the Oilers would need to bet on themselves here, but I truly think they will make the playoffs.

Giving up Henrique would also be a blow to their face off win percentage as he is sitting at 56.7 % right now, but I think overall Danault is the superior player. Obviously, this makes my previous point about centre depth obsolete, but this is the situation the Oilers have put themselves in with their poor asset and cap management over the last few years. The Campbell buyout is really not helping right now as it’s eating 2.55 million of the cap right now. 

What do you all think? Should the Oilers attempt to make this move? What would it cost?