Under the dazzling lights of the Bell Centre, the air is thick with anticipation—a Kings scout sits quietly in the stands, his gaze flickering between Montreal’s five centers as the crowd buzzes with rumors and possibility. On the ice, Nick Suzuki glides across the blue line with authority, Oliver Kapanen fires off a shot, and somewhere in the background, the name “Phillip Danault” echoes like a ghost from seasons past. The city’s heartbeat seems to quicken with every shift, every faceoff, every subtle glance exchanged between players and management.

It’s Thursday night in Montreal, but it feels like the eve of something seismic. TVA’s Renaud Lavoie has just dropped a tantalizing clue on JiC: “Look at the Canadiens’ lineup tonight. I’ll let you think about it.” The puzzle pieces are scattered, each one more intriguing than the last. Five centers—Suzuki, Kapanen, Evans, Veleno, Beck—are dressed and ready, a rare sight that has fans and insiders alike whispering about what’s brewing behind closed doors. The Kings, it’s rumored, want an active player, not just a draft pick, and suddenly Montreal’s depth down the middle looks both like a blessing and a bargaining chip.

Outside the rink, the city is restless. Danault’s name, once synonymous with defensive brilliance and playoff heroics, is making headlines again. He’s 32 now, a veteran with 399 career points and a $33-million contract that stretches into 2027. Yet, in Los Angeles, he’s mired in a scoring drought—no goals in 30 games, just five assists, his ice time hovering a little over 16 minutes per night. Still, the calls keep coming. Teams know what Danault brings: reliability, experience, and an uncanny ability to shut down the opposition’s best.

But Montreal is in a bind. Oliver Kapanen, just 22, is thriving in his role as the second-line center, racking up 16 points and 10 goals in 33 games. He’s young, hungry, and a product of the Canadiens’ 2021 draft. Comparing him to Danault—a center with zero goals this season—forces management to weigh the past against the future, nostalgia against cold, hard numbers. The holiday roster freeze looms, giving both sides a ticking clock: after Friday night, all trades and waivers are off the table until Sunday morning. Decisions must be made quickly, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The presence of the Kings scout at the Bell Centre is either a well-timed coincidence or a sign that something big is about to break. In the city’s cafes and on social media, fans debate which center Montreal could afford to lose, and whether Danault’s return would reignite the team’s playoff hopes or disrupt the chemistry that’s finally beginning to gel. No one wants to give up a center who’s already scoring, but the allure of bringing back a familiar face—one who knows the pressure and pride of playing in Montreal—casts a long shadow.

As the clock ticks toward midnight and the holiday freeze, all eyes are on the Canadiens’ front office. Will they make a move that shocks the league, or hold steady and trust their young guns? The answer, hidden in the swirl of rumors and strategy, promises to shake the city to its core.

Photo of Phillip Danault and Kent Hughes

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

Phillip Danault’s name resurfaces, and Montreal’s center position suddenly gets interesting.

On TVA JiC, Renaud Lavoie recalled that the Kings want an active player, ideally a center. He even added that a draft pick would not be enough for them.

When Jean-Charles Lajoie asked if Montreal was excluded, Lavoie gave a hint.

“Not necessarily. Look at the Canadiens’ lineup tonight. I’ll let you think about it” – Renaud Lavoie

This Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, five centers were in uniform, including Nick Suzuki and Oliver Kapanen.

Jake Evans, Joseph Veleno and Owen Beck were also there, and it is sparking conversation in Montreal.

A Kings Scout at the Bell Centre Adds Fuel to Danault Trade Speculation

Not only has Phillip Danault been linked to the Canadiens, there was a Kings scout at last night’s game at the Bell Centre.

“And there is a Kings scout in attendance” – Karine Hains

If that’s just a coincidence, it’s a remarkably convenient one.

Danault, 32 years old, still has no goals in 30 games this season with Los Angeles, but he has 5 assists. His 33-million contract runs until after 2026-2027, with a cap hit of 5.5 million. He has 399 points in 741 career NHL games.

He plays an average of just over 16 min per game, which explains why he still draws calls.

On the other side, Kapanen is 22 years old and has 16 points in 33 games, including 10 goals. He was a second-round pick of the Canadiens in 2021. In the current picture, he is being used as the Canadiens’ second-line center, behind Suzuki.

Comparing a center with 10 goals to a center with zero goals forces Montreal to think twice. The holiday roster freeze begins at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, and ends at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday.

Between the two, there will be no trades or waivers, so discussions must be settled quickly. If Danault is traded, the Kings are asking for an active player, and Montreal has five centers on hand.

The big question is which of the Canadiens’ names can really move a discussion forward.

In Montreal, a return of Danault would get people talking, but no one wants to give up a center who is already scoring.