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Montreal Canadiens: The Danault Dilemma

By Patrick Tallon

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 30: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 30: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 04: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 04: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Contract Negotiations

Following the playoffs and strong play from Montreal’s young centers, Danault with just one year left on his contract, did not hold back his concerns about his future (and his role) in Montreal.

"I don’t know if I’m ready for this honestly, I love producing offensively and have enjoyed my role the past two seasons. I don’t know if I want to limit myself to a specific role, which would only be defensive. I don’t think I will get better by playing just defensively. I’ve seen my role change during the playoffs, but with what I’ve proven in the last few years, my role shouldn’t change in Montreal, I have demonstrated that I am capable of playing both defensively and offensively. -Philip Danault"

Mid January, it was reported that Danault declined a six-year, $30 million contract in the fall, per Mathias Brunett of La Presse. Many deemed this an extremely generous offer for someone who has only eclipsed the 50 point mark once and has never scored more than 13 goals in a single season.

If Kotkaniemi and Suzuki are to inevitably push him down the Canadiens depth chart, is it worth paying a defensive third line center $5 million per year over the next six years? Is it worth it for Danault to take it if he knows he won’t be the Canadiens’ number one center for the future? Turning down this money only to continue this subpar play makes it unlikely for him to get another offer like that again. Even if it does go up, how much term will he get? Marquee free agents in 2020 signed for less than projected. How will that change in 2021?

Danault’s frustration is understandable as no one wants to be pushed down the depth chart, but looking at the blueprint of Bergevin’s ‘reset’, Kotkaniemi and Suzuki are, or in theory “should be” the two pieces Bergevin looks to build around. Given the fact that some still argue that Trevor Timmins reached for Kotkaniemi in 2018, it is probably in their best interest to ensure he’s developing properly. That means playing him in the top six and letting him grow as the season goes on.

Danault’s future in Montreal depends on the play of the youth. If one of or both Kotkaniemi and Suzuki were to take considerable steps back this season, Bergevin might have an easier time bringing him back for a short term role in the top six. At the same time, Danault still might be hesitant knowing that Kotkaniemi and Suzuki are projecting to both be top six forwards in the long run, and as shown in the playoffs, he doesn’t want his role changed.

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