Under the blinding spotlights of Crypto.com Arena, the tension between expectation and reality is so thick you could carve it with a skate blade. Phillip Danault, once hailed as the heartbeat of Montreal’s blue line and now a centerman for the LA Kings, glides off the ice after another scoreless game, his jersey heavy with questions. The crowd roars for others; Danault’s own silence is deafening. Thirty games into the season, his stat line reads like a riddle—five assists, zero goals, and a growing discomfort that’s impossible to ignore.

Some stories in hockey unfold with a bang—a blockbuster trade, a viral highlight, a fight that sets the rink ablaze. But this one simmers, bubbling just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to erupt. In the last 24 hours, whispers have turned into headlines: Phillip Danault has asked for a trade. Not next month, not after the All-Star break—he wants out before the holiday freeze locks rosters in place. The urgency is palpable, the stakes high, and the timeline razor-thin. With the NHL’s trade freeze looming at midnight Friday, the window for change is closing fast, and Danault’s camp is pushing for resolution.

The LA Kings, meanwhile, are playing their cards close to the chest. Sources suggest they’re willing to wait, angling for a player-for-player deal rather than prospects or draft picks. It’s a strategy that speaks volumes about their ambitions—they want to win now, and they need immediate impact in return. The question is, who will answer the call? Rumors swirl around Montreal, New Jersey, and Carolina, but it’s Kent Hughes and the Canadiens who seem to be circling most intently. Frank Seravalli reports that Montreal has already reached out, gathering intel and weighing their options.

The intrigue deepens when you look at the numbers. Montreal has just over $3 million in cap space—a tight squeeze for Danault’s $5.5 million hit, especially with his contract running through next season. It’s a financial puzzle that demands creativity, boldness, and a willingness to risk. For Hughes, the decision isn’t just about talent; it’s about timing, chemistry, and the future of a team that’s teetering between patience and the urge to make a splash.

Yet, beneath the business jargon and trade rumors, there’s a human story unfolding—a player searching for a spark, a franchise weighing loyalty against opportunity, and a fanbase hungry for answers. Danault’s request isn’t just about numbers on a scoresheet; it’s about the intangible weight of expectation, the pressure to perform, and the longing for a fresh start. In Montreal, where every transaction becomes a citywide conversation, the possibility of a reunion is enough to set social media ablaze. Could Danault return to the city that once embraced him, or will another contender swoop in before the clock strikes midnight?

As the hours tick down and phones light up across front offices, the hockey world holds its breath. The only certainty is uncertainty. Will Kent Hughes pull off a blockbuster before the freeze, or will Danault’s fate hang in limbo until the holidays pass? For now, the answers remain hidden, tucked behind closed doors and encrypted text messages. But one thing is clear: this is a story that won’t stay quiet for long.

Stay tuned—because when the ice finally cracks, everyone will want to see what’s underneath.

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

Phillip Danault still has no goals this season and things are heating up with the LA Kings.

After 30 games, the discomfort is obvious, and a fresh start is most likely needed. The centerman has five assists to his name, but still no goals this season.

In recent hours, information has been circulating: Danault would have asked the Kings to trade him. And he would like it resolved quickly, before the holiday break. The schedule helps, because the trade freeze begins overnight from Friday to Saturday. After that, teams cannot make moves until Saturday, December 27 at 11:59 p.m.

According to Marco D’Amico, Danault would like it to happen in the coming days. Still according to him, Los Angeles is willing to wait to get the desired return.

“Sources indicate that Phil Danault has asked for a tradein LA. His camp hopes a deal gets done sooner than later; prior to the Trade Freeze.

Kings are willing to wait it out, looking for a player-for-player trade.

MTL, NJD and CAR are some of the teams to kicked tires there.”

– Marco D’Amico

Sources indicate that Phil Danault has asked for a tradein LA. His camp hopes a deal gets done sooner than later; prior to the Trade Freeze.

Kings are willing to wait it out, looking for a player-for-player trade.

MTL, NJD and CAR are some of the teams to kicked tires there.

— Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) December 16, 2025

Phillip Danault wants a move out of LA

At that point, it’s impossible not to look toward Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens, who, according to Frank Seravalli, have called to gather information and are among the teams circling around Danault.

From a salary-cap perspective, Montreal has just over $3M in available space. Danault, meanwhile, carries a $5.5M cap hit and his contract runs through the end of next season. That’s where it gets complicated: this type of commitment can quickly limit flexibility.

On the Kings’ side, the idea of a player-for-player trade seems to be on the table.

That makes sense, because they don’t need a prospect if they want to win now. Montreal, for its part, doesn’t have many players it can afford to move without weakening the lineup.

And if the price goes up, Kent Hughes will have to choose between patience and a bold move.

Regardless of the destination, this is a situation that could break before the trade freeze. If nothing happens by Friday, it could be pushed back until after December 27.

Phones are heating up, and Montreal is clearly in the conversation.