NHL Trade Moves: Kings Deal Phillip Danault to Canadiens Amid Struggles
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The Los Angeles Kings have traded center Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick originally owned by the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to the Orange County Register.
This deal, which involved no salary retention, allows the Kings to shed $5.5 million off their cap for this season and next. Marco D'Amico from RG Media reported that Danault had requested the trade prior to the one-week roster freeze, prompting the Kings to honor his request.
Danault, who joined the Kings after a successful run with the Canadiens that led to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2021, had struggled recently, going 38 regular-season games without a goal and only registering five assists this season.
His absence from the team due to illness marked a turning point, leading to his return to Quebec to join the Canadiens, a team currently being shaped by General Manager Kent Hughes.