Phillip Danault is in demand across the NHL (but time is running out)

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Phillip Danault is in demand across the NHL (but time is running out)
Credit: Getty Images

The NHL transaction freeze begins in less than 48 hours.

Does this create a sense of urgency for some teams? Clearly, for the Los Angeles Kings, the answer is yes.

You understand that we're talking about the Phillip Danault file here.

But it also puts pressure on teams who want to go after him. Because yes, according to Renaud Lavoie(who spoke to TVA Sports), there are several teams on his case.

Lavoie expects Danault to be traded by tomorrow night, although nothing is guaranteed.

Everyone knows he's on the market right now. But that doesn't mean he'll be “given away” because the Kings don't want to part with him just for the fun of it.

It's going to take some offensive reinforcement in return. And ideally, it would be via a center to compensate. Potentially losing Danault and Anze Kopitar in a few months would hurt.

I don't know if Danault really needs Santa Claus to bring him flu meds, but the Québécois certainly needs a new challenge. The Kings know it.

In fact, everyone knows it.

Will the Canadiens be in the mix? Clearly, the club has called, but it's unclear whether Kent Hughes will be willing to pay the Kings' asking price.

After all, several teams in the East (where the standings are so tight) will want to try to get him out of L.A. And waiting another week isn't the dream scenario for the people involved.

By the way, Pierre LeBrun denied that Danault had asked for a trade. But everyone is walking on eggshells on this issue, so much so that one wonders just how true it is.

Regardless of whether he asked for a trade or not, he will likely be traded in the short term.


overtime

– Listen now.

– Interesting.

– Oh.

– Already?

– Ah well.

– What do you think?

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