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The phone is ringing again for Phillip Danault, and it’s stirring up conversation all over Montreal.
Late Saturday, insider Frank Seravalli posted on X that there are currently many trade discussions surrounding the Quebec-born center of the Los Angeles Kings.
He says several teams have already contacted management to inquire about his availability, at a time when the center market is particularly difficult this season.
All of this comes as Danault is having a quiet offensive start to the schedule. At 32 years old, he still has no goals this year and only four assists in roughly twenty games, even though he continues to log solid minutes night after night.
Phillip Danault becomes a name to watch again for Montreal
The situation gets truly intriguing when you add the details of his contract. Danault is in the fifth year of a six-year agreement worth $33 million, carrying an annual value of $5.5 million. He is therefore tied to the Kings until 2027 and now has a clause allowing him to provide a list of ten teams to which he refuses to be traded.
Since arriving in California in the summer of 2021, the former Canadien has provided consistent production of about 40 to 50 points per season, with a career-high 21 goals in his first year in Los Angeles.
In four full seasons there, he had already accumulated at least 195 points in 319 games even before the current schedule, which explains why many teams still view him as a reliable middle-six center.
“Sources: Trade chatter is picking up around LA Kings center Phil Danault. Multiple teams have inquired with LA on his availability, Danault has emerged as a target amid thin center market.”
– Frank Seravalli
In Montreal, the idea of a potential return has never really gone away. In recent months, several trade scenarios involving his name have circulated, often based on the idea that he would stabilize the second-line center position behind Nick Suzuki.
Still, nothing indicates yet that the Kings are ready to move on. Despite four straight first-round eliminations, the organization still sees itself in playoff mode and must decide whether it wants to sacrifice a respected veteran with two seasons left on his contract.
If they truly open the door, Danault will instantly become one of the biggest center names available ahead of the trade deadline. A well-established Quebecer, still strong defensively, with a high but known contract, paired with Montreal’s glaring need at center-this is the perfect recipe to ignite living-room discussions.
Now we’ll see if, this time, the story between the Montreal Canadiens and Phillip Danault will write a new chapter.
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Rising trade interest in Phillip Danault reignites talk of a possible Canadiens reunion
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