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Todd McLellan on one year later as coach of Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan, Dec. 6, 2025 in Seattle.
Phillip Danault is once again a Montreal Canadiens center.
The Canadiens acquired Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a second-round pick originally belonging to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2026 NHL draft.
Friday evening’s move comes just over an hour before the holiday roster freeze goes into effect for the Canadiens and just over four hours for the Kings.
Danault last played for the Canadiens from 2015-16 to 2020-21, when they made the Stanley Cup final.
In 30 games this season, Danault has five points, all assists. His ice time fell to 16:19 per game, his lowest average since the 2015-16 season.
The 32-year-old surfaced in trade rumors and speculation lately as his production and usage dropped.
Last year, he had eight goals and 43 points in 80 games, averaging 17:40 of ice time. And in 2022-23, Danault posted a career-high 54 points in 82 games while averaging 18:20.
Montreal, meanwhile, has found a center to bolster its depth down the middle.
Canadiens centers Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook are out with injuries. Dach, who suffered a broken foot, could return after the holiday break if he meets the four- to six-week expected recovery time. Newhook underwent surgery on Nov. 14 to repair a fractured ankle and is expected to be out for four months.
Danault is in the fifth season of a six-year contract carrying a $5.5 million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause.
Back in 2021, Danault was a frequent linemate with right winger Brendan Gallagher, who has two goals and 11 points in 34 games this season while averaging 12:49 of ice time. Danault may see his ice time increase, likely higher in the lineup, while the Habs deal with their injury issues.
Danault could also feature on the penalty kill. In Los Angeles, he averaged between one and two minutes per game on the penalty kill, including a 1:05 average this season. The Kings had a top-10 penalty kill in the NHL in 2023-24 and 2024-25, when Danault averaged 1:48 and 1:52 of shorthanded ice time, respectively.
He ranked third on the Kings in faceoff win percentage this season, at 52.9 percent. That should help the Canadiens, which rank 18th in the league with a 49.7 faceoff win percentage.
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