The pros and cons of the Montreal Canadiens trading Phillip 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.

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).

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.

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.