The phone rings late into the Montreal night, and with it, a city holds its breath. Somewhere between the echoes of old glory and the hunger for new hope, the name Phillip Danault flashes once again across news tickers and living room televisions, igniting a firestorm of speculation that refuses to die down. Imagine the scene: the iconic red, white, and blue of the Canadiens’ logo flickers on screens, while Danault’s unmistakable silhouette—now donning the black and silver of Los Angeles—looms like a ghost of seasons past, haunting the city that once cheered his every shift.

Insider whispers are growing louder. Frank Seravalli’s late-night post on X is the spark that sets off a chain reaction: “Trade chatter is picking up around LA Kings center Phil Danault. Multiple teams have inquired with LA on his availability, Danault has emerged as a target amid thin center market.” Suddenly, what seemed like a distant memory becomes a tantalizing possibility, and the city’s hockey faithful are left wondering—could the prodigal son really come home?

Danault’s story is more than just numbers on a stat sheet. At 32, he’s a veteran with over 700 NHL games, edging closer to the 400-point milestone, and a reputation for two-way excellence that made him a fan favorite in Montreal. But this season, the numbers tell a different tale: no goals, just four assists in twenty games, and a Kings team wrestling with its own identity after four consecutive first-round exits. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic, with the center market at its thinnest and playoff ambitions on the line in both Los Angeles and Montreal.

The contract details only add fuel to the fire. Danault is locked in for two more years after this one, with a hefty $5.5 million annual cap hit and a ten-team no-trade clause—a deal that both complicates and sweetens the stakes for any potential suitor. For the Canadiens, who have struggled to find a stable second-line center behind Nick Suzuki, the prospect of a Danault reunion reads like the plot of a blockbuster: the local hero returns to fill the void, steady the ship, and perhaps, just perhaps, lead another playoff charge.

But the Kings aren’t ready to tip their hand. With a roster built for the postseason and Danault’s leadership still valued in the locker room, Los Angeles faces a crossroads of its own. Do they cash in on a respected veteran while his value remains high, or double down on a core that has yet to break through? For now, the door is only cracked open, but that’s all it takes for rumors to swirl and hope to flicker in Montreal.

As the trade deadline approaches and the stakes rise with every game, the city waits, debates, and dreams. Will the next chapter in the Phillip Danault saga be written in Montreal? Or will this be another what-if lost to history? The answers—and the drama—are just beginning. Keep reading to find out how this story could shake the very foundation of the Canadiens’ future.

Photo of Phillip Danault and Montreal Canadiens logo

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

The phone is ringing again for Phillip Danault, and it’s stirring up conversation all over Montreal.

Late Saturday, insider Frank Seravalli posted on X that there are currently many trade discussions surrounding the Quebec-born center of the Los Angeles Kings.

He says several teams have already contacted management to inquire about his availability, at a time when the center market is particularly difficult this season.

All of this comes as Danault is having a quiet offensive start to the schedule. At 32 years old, he still has no goals this year and only four assists in roughly twenty games, even though he continues to log solid minutes night after night.

Over the course of his NHL career, however, he remains close to 400 points in more than 700 games played.

Phillip Danault becomes a name to watch again for Montreal

The situation gets truly intriguing when you add the details of his contract. Danault is in the fifth year of a six-year agreement worth $33 million, carrying an annual value of $5.5 million. He is therefore tied to the Kings until 2027 and now has a clause allowing him to provide a list of ten teams to which he refuses to be traded.

Since arriving in California in the summer of 2021, the former Canadien has provided consistent production of about 40 to 50 points per season, with a career-high 21 goals in his first year in Los Angeles.

In four full seasons there, he had already accumulated at least 195 points in 319 games even before the current schedule, which explains why many teams still view him as a reliable middle-six center.

“Sources: Trade chatter is picking up around LA Kings center Phil Danault. Multiple teams have inquired with LA on his availability, Danault has emerged as a target amid thin center market.”

– Frank Seravalli

In Montreal, the idea of a potential return has never really gone away. In recent months, several trade scenarios involving his name have circulated, often based on the idea that he would stabilize the second-line center position behind Nick Suzuki.

Still, nothing indicates yet that the Kings are ready to move on. Despite four straight first-round eliminations, the organization still sees itself in playoff mode and must decide whether it wants to sacrifice a respected veteran with two seasons left on his contract.

If they truly open the door, Danault will instantly become one of the biggest center names available ahead of the trade deadline. A well-established Quebecer, still strong defensively, with a high but known contract, paired with Montreal’s glaring need at center-this is the perfect recipe to ignite living-room discussions.

Now we’ll see if, this time, the story between the Montreal Canadiens and Phillip Danault will write a new chapter.