Trade Speculation Surrounding Phillip Danault
Center Phillip Danault of the Los Angeles Kings has found himself at the center of trade speculation as rumors swirl around his future. With the current NHL season well underway, Danault has struggled to find his scoring touch, going the first 28 games without a goal and managing just five assists—his last assist coming during a dominant 6-0 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Analyst Insights
On a recent episode of Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts, NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman discussed the increasing interest from other teams regarding Danault. He remarked,
“There have been indications that he might be available on the trade market, and it could be a scenario where both he and the Kings might be open to a change.”
Current Performance and Future Prospects
Friedman offered a candid assessment of Danault’s situation, suggesting that the alternatives are stark: either Father Time has begun to take its toll on the 32-year-old player, or perhaps his time with the Kings is nearing its end. This season marks Danault’s fifth with the franchise and his 13th overall in the NHL.
Despite his recent challenges, Danault has previously shown he can be a significant contributor, having registered a minimum of 40 points in prior seasons with the Kings. However, last year’s output of 43 points was his lowest since the 2017-18 season when he played just 52 games for the Montreal Canadiens, finishing with 25 points.
Challenges Ahead
Like Danault, other former Canadiens players have also started the season slowly, with some struggling to score as well. Although Danault is likely to eventually find the net, his current stats paint a troubling picture—zero goals and 15 assists—making it challenging to justify his $5.5 million cap hit as he nears the end of his contract. Interestingly, he has one more season remaining on his current deal after this one.
Trade Market Dynamics
On the other hand, General Manager Ken Holland may find relief in the fact that the demand for middle-six centers in today’s trade market might enable the Kings to trade Danault, provided they can find a suitable match. If a team not included on Danault’s 10-team no-trade list shows interest, a deal could be possible.
However, the likelihood of receiving substantial value in a trade given his current form remains questionable. With all three of their retention spots already utilized, the Kings are unable to offer any concessions on Danault’s salary in a potential trade scenario.
