The pros and cons of the Montreal Canadiens trading Phillip Danault
Whether out of curiosity or action, Phillip Danault’s name is out there for the Montreal Canadiens, and there are positives and negatives of making the trade.
The new era of Phillip Danault trades is a prime example of a little seed of information growing into a giant trade of speculation. It’s important to keep in mind that nothing formal has come from the Montreal Canadiens themselves. Everything is in the category of ‘chatter’ and ‘rumblings’ at the moment, even though the concept of a Danault trade makes sense.
After dropping the initial nugget of information, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added another layer to the Danault rumours. It’s possible the Canadiens don’t really have any intention of trading Danault and that this is instead a way to put some pressure on him ahead of contract negotiations.
His deal isn’t up until next summer, but it’s not too late to begin those initial conversations, especially with a contract that may be fairly weighted financially. Danault has gone through his time of bridge deals and is likely looking for a long-term payday. That said, if his role has indeed changed on the Montreal Canadiens, the money he was initially looking for may not be there.
That’s what we know so far, and although we’re going through the rollercoaster ride of wondering whether Phillip Danault will be traded, perhaps we should be asking ourselves should Phillip Danault be traded?
There’s a one-word difference between the two questions, but that single difference changes the weight of the conversation.
Sebastian High: I would be open to trading Danault, even though I would not be enthusiastic if a trade occurred. The issue lies within what Danault deems necessary for his next contract. On the open market, he could fetch a Kevin Hayes type salary, one that Montreal will likely not give him as they see him as an ideal third-line centre in the long term with Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi as the top two centremen. Thus, I don’t see Montreal being a good fit for Danault in the long term, and I expect he will be traded of he is unwilling (and understandably so) to take a discounted contract.
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.
Omar: I understand the reluctance from Montreal Canadiens fans who don’t want Danault to be moved. He’s paid his dues and was the team’s number-one centre when they had no one else save for Tomas Plekanec. At the same time, he silenced critiques who said he had little-to-no offence in his game and would solely be a defensive-minded player.
Danault has proven, especially over the last two seasons, that he can step up offensively, but it is a certain kind of offence that gets it down. He won’t dangle the opposition and beat them in 1v3 situations; however, he works for his points and if it’s a perfect partnership if he plays with other hard-forechecking players. His success with Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar is proof of that.
There’s also the belief that Danault is on his way to a Selke.
Related Story. Was Danault snubbed for the Selke?. light
Hockey analysts had Danault in their top-three and felt he deserved at least a nomination. That said, when it came to the actual voting by the Professional Hockey Writing Association (PHWA), Danault finished sixth in voting with only one first-place vote and the most fifth-place votes (39).
Sean Couturier won the Selke Trophy voting by a wide margin. pic.twitter.com/G397DnRmaJ
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 11, 2020
What Danault is missing amongst those players ahead of him is the scoring. You can objectively say the skill gap is noticeable between Danault and the players in the top-five, even if his defensive game is approaching the same layer of reality. That fact alone makes him a player worth keeping as having him on the Montreal Canadiens when/if he reaches that level well make the team all the better.
But this is professional sports, and players, as well as teams, have windows. If the Habs have identified Suzuki and Kotkaniemi as their future 1 and 2 centring tandem, Danault must be three. And if he can’t accept that he’s going to be surpassed and because of that can’t make the money he’ll want, the Canadiens must trade him.
It’s not worth the risk of him walking in free agency and getting nothing of value in return. There are teams who should be interested in his services, and the Montreal Canadiens can use a Danault trade to address some more needs. Defence-first teams such as the Flyers, Islanders or Stars, for example, would love a player like Danault, and even teams like the Oilers or Jets could be takes as well. These are the difficult decisions Bergevin will need to start making as he commits to a core.
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Do I want the Montreal Canadiens to trade Phillip Danault? No.
Nevertheless, if he can’t accept taking a backseat to the growing centre core and/or asks for a contract with a cap-hit that starts with a 6, they’ll need to.