Phillip Danault has been traded one hour before trade freeze

It was almost time for the NHL freeze but then, the Montreal Canadiens acquired center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick.

Frank Seravalli was first to break the news, while the Habs confirmed it moments later.

While the return to LA is somewhat low, the Canadiens did confirm the Kings didn't retain any of Danault's $5.5M cap hit, per Marco D'Amico.

Which could become a significant issue once the infirmary in Montreal empties up:

"Right now, this can be solved by sending down two of Beck, Davidson and Engstrom. But when Dach/Guhle/Laine/Newhook return, it'll get complicated from a roster perspective," D'Amico explains.

Danault has just five assists in 30 games with the Kings this season, putting him on a 13-point pace which is the lowest of his career, while averaging 16:19 of ice time. There is a sense that he could greatly benefit from a change of scenery, and a return to Montreal might be just what the doctor ordered.

He joined the Kings as a free agent in 2021 after six seasons with the Habs. He last played for the Canadiens from 2015-16 to 2020-21, when they made the Stanley Cup final. Selected 26th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011, Danault now has 125 goals and 399 points over 741 career games.

The Kings were reportedly entertaining trade inquiries from different clubs interested in Danault, including, in addition to the Habs, the New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Utah Mammoth and Boston Bruins, among others.

The NHL’s holiday trade freeze begins at midnight, meaning all action is paused until Sunday, December 28th. The Canadiens made the move just an hour before the start of the freeze.