A Winning Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 05: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

2020-2021 Season

With strong two-way play but underwhelming offensive results, the Tatar-Danault-Gallagher remained intact up until the 15th game of the season when Julien opted to scratch Tomas Tatar. Whether he deserved it or not might be up for debate, but the idea the line needs to be better is not. Bergevin made that clear in his press conference, saying he expects more from Danault and Tatar.

Danault has yet to score a goal through 15 games and has a mere six points.

Suzuki looks like he’s the Canadiens true number one center right now scoring at just under a point per game pace. Despite playing on the 3rd line, Kotkaniemi is still out producing Danault while averaging 13:47 per night, which is only 1:27 more than Jake Evan’s, Montreal’s lowest played forward.

Danault averages 17:09.

Here is how the three breakdown so far this season production wise:

Points/60
Suzuki: 2.64
Kotkaniemi: 2.18
Danault: 1.34

Goals/60
Suzuki: 0.66
Kotkaniemi: 0.29
Danault: 0

Assists/60
Suzuki: 1.98
Kotkaniemi: 1.74
Danault: 1.49

Shots/60
Suzuki: 6.38
Kotkaniemi: 8.73
Danault: 4.21

Future Negotiations

Marc Bergevin is in a peculiar situation moving into the trade deadline and offseason, and right now he has the following options:

  • Keep Danault for a potential playoff run even if it means losing him in free agency.
  • Maximize his value right now and recoup assets for him via trade.
  • Sign and trade in the offseason
  • Danault signs a team friendly deal

Next. Habs Headlines From Past Week. dark

Danault is what he is: a strong defensive center with some offensive upside to his game. How much upside is clearly up for debate. Being a top – six center right now doesn’t mean he’ll be one in the future, especially with Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi knocking at the door. How he plays, if he accepts his role, and if he wants a future in Montreal ultimately depends on him.

Home/Editorials