The Montreal Canadiens have orchestrated a familiar homecoming, acquiring veteran centre Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in a late-night trade announced on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The Trade Details
In exchange for the 32-year-old forward, the Canadiens sent a second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft to Los Angeles. Notably, this pick was originally acquired by Montreal from the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the summer 2024 trade that sent Patrik Laine to Ohio.
Danault's Return to Montreal
Phillip Danault is no stranger to the Bell Centre, having spent six seasons with the Canadiens from 2015-16 until his departure in the summer of 2021. At that time, he signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the Kings as a free agent. He has one season remaining on that deal after the current 2025-26 campaign, carrying an annual salary-cap hit of $5.5 million.
The Canadiens, currently the youngest team in the NHL, are seeking Danault's experience and defensive prowess down the middle. His role is expected to be crucial in stabilizing the team's play.
Recent Performance and History
Danault's offensive production has dipped this season, recording no goals and five assists in 30 games with the Kings, alongside a plus-3 rating. He has averaged 16 minutes and 19 seconds of ice time per contest, while winning 52.9 percent of his faceoffs.
His most memorable stint in Montreal came during the team's surprising run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Danault was an integral part of one of the league's best five-on-five lines, flanked by Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar. His reunion with Gallagher, who has also faced scoring challenges this season with 11 points in 34 games, is a notable subplot.
Danault's career-best offensive output was a 53-point season (12 goals, 41 assists) with Montreal in 2018-19. He later matched that production with a 54-point season for Los Angeles in 2022-23.
The Canadiens have not specified when Danault will join the lineup. The team is scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a home-and-home series, playing at the Bell Centre on Saturday night and in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
