It’s just past midnight in Montreal, and a single notification shatters the quiet—Kent Hughes has made his move. The city’s skyline glows with anticipation as phones buzz, Twitter explodes, and a familiar name flashes across every screen: Phillip Danault is coming home. In the shadows of the Bell Centre, where memories of playoff runs and heartbreaks linger, the news hits like a slapshot to the glass. For Canadiens fans, this isn’t just another late-night transaction; it’s the return of a center who once defined the heartbeat of the team.

The announcement is swift, almost surreal: Montreal acquires forward Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. No blockbuster package, no elaborate negotiations—just a simple deal that carries enormous weight. Danault, now 32, isn’t the same player who left Montreal in 2021, but his legacy remains. He’s logged 741 NHL games, scored 125 goals, and racked up 399 points. This season, his numbers are modest—zero goals, five assists in 30 games—but his plus-minus sits at a surprising +3, a subtle reminder that his impact goes beyond the scoresheet.

As the city stirs with excitement, the details of Danault’s contract spark heated debate. Signed for six years and $33 million, with a $5.5 million cap hit through 2026-2027, the price is steep for a player whose best offensive days may be behind him. Yet, for Montreal, this is more than a numbers game. Last season, Danault tallied 43 points in 80 games and added eight points in six playoff contests—a proven performer when it matters most. Since joining the Kings in 2021, he’s amassed 200 points in 349 games, including 70 goals, quietly building a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable two-way centers.

But it’s his Montreal history that makes this deal electric. From 2016 to 2021, Danault played 360 regular-season games for the Canadiens, peaking with 53 points in 81 games during the 2018-2019 campaign. He was a cornerstone during the unforgettable run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, logging 22 playoff games and shutting down some of the NHL’s biggest stars. His departure left a void that Montreal has struggled to fill—a second-line center who could do it all: defend, create, lead.

Kent Hughes has been searching for that missing piece, cycling through names and rumors as the pressure mounted. Tonight, he found his answer. The trade isn’t flashy, but it’s loaded with meaning. Danault’s return is a signal—a promise that Montreal is ready to turn the page, to blend experience with youth, and to chase the kind of success that only comes with the right mix of talent and heart.

As the city wakes to the news, questions swirl. Can Danault recapture his old magic? Will his presence stabilize a lineup that’s struggled for consistency? Is this the move that finally tips the balance for the Canadiens? For now, one thing is certain: Phillip Danault is back, and Montreal is buzzing with hope, nostalgia, and the thrill of possibility. The story is just beginning, and every fan will want to read the next chapter.

May 20, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Phillip Danault (24) carries the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Late night on Friday, the Montreal Canadiens have confirmed an important acquisition for the team.

We know that Kent Hughes has been searching for a second-line center for quite some time. Many names circulated, but the general manager has just completed a trade.

Phillip Danault is back with the Habs

Phillip Danault is joining the Montreal Canadiens.

Here is the announcement:

The Canadiens have acquired forward Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick.

– Canadiens

At 32 years old, the center from Victoriaville has 0 goals and 5 assists in 30 games this season. His plus-minus is +3, which is surprising, with only 5 points.

In his career, he has totaled 741 games, 125 goals, 274 assists, and 399 points. The file is easy to summarize: we are talking about an established player, not a gamble.

Regarding the contract, Danault is signed for six years and 33 million, with a salary cap hit of 5.5 million per season. The deal runs until the end of 2026-2027, which explains why everyone is talking about the price paid.

Last season, he produced 43 points in 80 games, then 8 points in 6 playoff games.

With the Kings since 2021-2022, he has 200 points in 349 games, including 70 goals.

In Montreal, Danault played 360 regular-season games from 2016 to 2021. His offensive peak with the Canadiens was 53 points in 81 games during the 2018-2019 season. In 2021, he also played 22 playoff games during the run to the Final.