The Los Angeles Kings have signed Phillip Danault, the team said today. It’s a six-year contract worth $5.5MM per season.
The 28-year-old Danault enters the Los Angeles organization after a successful stint with the Montreal Canadiens. Finishing top-10 in Selke Trophy voting for the past three seasons, Danault has cemented himself as a truly elite defensive centerman who can play top-six minutes. While he’ll never break the bank offensively, nor should he see power-play time, Danault still carries 40-50 point upside with incredible solid possession numbers. He’s coming off a 24-point season in which he shot a near-career-low 6.8 percent, so some increased goal totals for next season should be expected.
Danault currently slots in as the Kings’ second-line center behind Anze Kopitar, but how long he holds that title remains to be seen. Danault’s strength in the faceoff dot likely cements him at the center position, so it’s reasonable to surmise that he could serve as the team’s third-line pivot by the end of the deal. The Kings have many young centers, especially Gabriel Vilardi and Quinton Byfield, who look to be consistent top-six contributors within the next few seasons. However Danault gets used, though, he’ll bring a strong impact to a team who’s struggled mightily defensively in recent years.
$5.5M scored 5 more goals than I did.
@Dave – He also wins more faceoffs than me. I blame my crapped-up rotator cuffs, though.
:(
Well, Phillip, that’s about as far from MTL as you could go. At least you will get paid this time.
He got paid as if he was the second coming of Keon.
Thank god NYR restrained themselves this time from overpaying for another one.
Another one? They overpay everyone of they’re players… hahahaha
Yup.
– A. Panarin
Saw him play over the last 5-6 years in MTL, that is a huge overpayment from LA. He is elite defensively but will not create a lot in the offensive zone.
With that being said, good luck in LA to a classy player
@wu tang killa beez – The key there is “elite defensively.” He has shown to be just that. There has to be value in a guy who can reliably contain the opposition’s best players, especially if the other side doesn’t have much depth scoring, as some teams in the Pacific are guilty of. If he continues on doing what he has, he’ll be instrumental in keeping goals off of the board for the Kings. Naturally, $5.5MM is probably a bit much, but do the Kings have anyone else in the pipeline that can do what he has done?
Goddamit this is gonna be the Frans Nielsen contract 2.0 I’m calling it.
Wow a third line center but let’s be honest, he can win big da offs snd is a two way center. Maybe putting him in different situations will increase the offense. The Eichel situation should come down to Vegas, Montreal, and NY as a long shot. The Rangers cannot give into Buffalo crazy trade demand. If the Vegas rumor is true regarding what will being going to Buffalo the Rangers should not over pay.
The most I’d give BUF is Strome, Jones and 1st. If Eichel does the surgery he might miss the entire season or more. BUF hasn’t even released his medical records. Who needs to take such chances and pay the top price?
Completely agree. Don’t give in to their crazy demands. You spent the last 4 yrs drafting young talent. Don’t give it all away for Eichel
Worst contract of this free agency.
Kings putting together a shutdown line!