On today’s rendition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Los Angeles Kings are exploring a change-of-scenery trade with center Phillip Danault. Additionally, Friedman suggested that Danault would be open to the idea of playing for a different organization.
There’s no question that the Kings have gotten a different version of Danault this year. In the four years following the summer of 2021, when the middle-six center signed a six-year, $33MM contract with Los Angeles, Danault had scored 70 goals and 195 points in 319 games wearing the black and silver while averaging approximately 18 minutes a night.
Additionally, Danault has managed a solid 53.0% success rate in the faceoff dot while starting most of his shifts in the defensive zone, and has held his own on the defensive side of the puck. He has been one of the Kings’ best playoff performers, despite failing to reach beyond the first round throughout his tenure, scoring seven goals and 19 points in 24 contests.
This season, by contrast, Danault has offered little to no offensive value. Through 28 games, the 32-year-old middleman has registered only five assists while averaging 16:27 of ice time. He has remained valuable on the defensive side of the puck, but it appears frustration is growing on both sides of the relationship, particularly due to the lack of offense.
Given his lack of offense, even for a change-of-scenery swap, it may prove difficult to move Danault. He’s signed through next season at a $5.5MM cap hit, and has a 10-team no-trade clause, though he may be willing to completely waive that if he’s committed to a new opportunity.
It’s unlikely that the Kings would want to move him for futures, either. Unless they acquire capital for a separate trade, Los Angeles doesn’t have many internal candidates that could replace Danault down the middle of the team’s third line.
That means that for any trade involving Danault, the Kings would likely look for another center who has had a similarly disappointing year. Peyton Krebs of the Buffalo Sabres, Jason Dickinson of the Chicago Blackhawks, Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Scott Laughton of the Toronto Maple Leafs all come to mind as potential options.
Love Danualt, but moving on is the right call. We need a guy who can score or has potential to. Our defense has done just fine when he’s on and off the ice
Domi and Jarnkrok for Danault. Calle is a UFA after this season too so frees up an additional $2 million.
This might create more problems then it will solve. Kings will need to get someone with term left on their deal.
Id they did make a move with Danualt. Get a player in return with no term left. The Kings would be down two of the top four centers. You lose Kopitar and Danualt six months apart. There is not a team in the NHL that could withstand losing two of th top three centers on your roster
Trade him to the Wings for Compher or Copp (either one for 1/3 salary retained)
Vancouver definitely needs Centers right now
Trade him to the blues for schenn. The kings would have to add a prospect or draft pick but their salaries are similar
So does LA. Gonna most likely have to be a c for c swap
The closer the Kings get to a playoff spot, the more valuable he becomes for them. They may regret trading him when they’re in, and there’s a critical faceoff in their D-Zone. Of the players listed, none of them are as good taking faceoffs, and they aren’t nearly as good defensively. Move him to the 4th line if you need to, but I wouldn’t move him.
Laughton’s had a disappointing year because he’s battled injuries, not because of underperformance. Berube and Treliving both love him. His teammates love him. He’s not going anywhere.
Trade him if they can get Ryan O’Reilly in a separate deal.
Turcotte would easily slide into the 3C role and be better for it. Helenious can do the 4C role too.
This is an easy choice to drop some payroll or even better, upgrade somewhere.
Are they concerned about dropping payroll? And I really don’t think they’d get much for him. I’m sure they’re looking to add offense, but he won’t bring back much in that regard.
Agree. And only drop payroll to make room for an upgrade.
Knowing Holland,he’ll trade him to Scotty’s Kid for a bag of pucks and McDavid game used sticks.