Canadiens Reacquire Phillip Danault from Kings for 2026 Draft Pick

Center Phillip Danault, 32, has been traded from the Los Angeles Kings back to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (Columbus Blue Jackets' pick). The trade occurred just before the NHL's Christmas roster freeze. Danault returns to Montreal, where he previously played six seasons, recording 194 points in 360 games and reaching the 2020-21 Stanley Cup Final. This season with the Kings, he had 0 goals and 5 assists in 30 games, missing the last four due to illness. The move frees up $5.5M in cap space for the Kings.