Insider Connects Canadiens to a Phillip Danault Reunion

The Montreal Canadiens have long been searching for an upgrade down the middle behind Nick Suzuki, and it appears they may have interest in a reunion with a former one of their own. That would be the Los Angeles Kings’ center, Phillip Danault.

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Danault’s situation in Los Angeles has gotten complicated. As a result, there’s been plenty of chatter about the veteran being available via trade should general manager Ken Holland receive the right offer.

There’s been some back and forth regarding whether or not Danault has formally asked for a change of scenery, though his name continues to swirl around the rumor mill — and where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Numerous potential landing spots have been floated for the Quebec native, and most recently, insider Frank Seravalli singled out his hometown Canadiens as a logical fit.

Seravalli said:

“Teams have been calling, and his name has certainly been percolating on the market… Teams have been calling, I think the Montreal Canadiens, his former, one of his former teams, they make a lot of sense to me. And I know a number of other teams have called to try and get in the mix. So, yeah, definitely a name to keep an eye on,”

Danault enjoyed plenty of success during his five-and-a-half seasons in Montreal, primarily serving as a shutdown center, playing a key role in the Canadiens’ run to the 2020–21 Stanley Cup Final.

That said, the 32-year-old has struggled offensively in 2025–26, registering just five points (five assists) in 30 games — a major reason his name has surfaced in trade discussions.

The 32-year-old is in the fifth season of the six-year, $33 million contract he signed to join the Kings as a UFA back in 2021. That contract includes a modified 10-team no-trade clause, which could limit potential destinations, though it’s hard to imagine his former team and hometown in Montreal being on that list.

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