The pros and cons of the Montreal Canadiens trading Phillip Danault

Emmanuel: Since Marc Bergevin acquired him for Dale Weise and Thomas Fleischmann, Philip Danault has been one of the most consistent forwards on the Montreal Canadiens. If you were asking me this question at the end of next season, I would have told you no. I believe his time with the Canadiens may have a shelf life as Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Nick Suzuki continue to develop, and if Jake Evans lives up to his potential, he can join them in the centre position in the top-9. Given the salary he may demand, if he is unwilling to take a hometown deal, I would not be shocked if they decided to move on when that time came.

What I wasn’t expecting was for trade rumours a year before then. If what we have heard is true and Philip Danault and the Montreal Canadiens are unable to come to a contract agreement, and Danault is dissatisfied with his new third-line role, we may see him traded before the start of training camp. If Philip Danault is looking for a first-line role, the Montreal Canadiens may not be the place for him to do that, but if he is willing to adapt to a new role, he can be a part of a strong group of centres and a rebuilding Canadiens team that had shown promise in the August playoff stint.

Teddy Elliott: I tend to be a hardcore optimist when it comes to the Montreal Canadiens, especially when I believe in certain players. One of those Habs player I really believe in is Philip Danault. Starting on the fourth line 4 years ago, Danault worked hard and capitalized on every opportunity that came his way during his time as a Canadiens player, and he gets better every season.

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There has been the long-standing rhetoric that you win with a player like Danault as your penalty-killing third line centreman – a Stanley Cup, that is. Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi develop into next season the way they did during their brief playoff run, Danault, literally and symbolically, fills that role. He is your elite third-line centre. So, you can’t trade Danault. Not now, not at such a crucial moment.

The Canadiens can afford to accommodate a player like Danault, who has been in the Selke trophy conversation two years running, and consistently plays top minutes, against the top players, and provides shelter for your young offensive weapons.

At 27 years old, Danault is still determined to shatter his own career highs. When you have players like Danault, you don’t trade them. Danault brings stability, leadership, determination, work ethic, and hunger for individual and team success. Last but not least, he bleeds bleu blanc rouge. So, you don’t trade Danault.