Phillip Danault: the habs are still looking for a second center

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Phillip Danault: the habs are still looking for a second center
Credit: NHL.com

The Canadiens got off to a strong start to the season before dropping some games in November. And when I say dropping games, I mean… eating a few volleys.

Without necessarily being able to make the deal of the century, Kent Hughes has been in action to try and bring some new blood to his organization recently.

For example? He recalled youngsters (Jacob Fowler, Adam Engstrom, Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Joshua Roy, Jared Davidson, etc.) from Laval. He signed Alexandre Texier. He claimed Samuel Blais in waivers.

Above all, he acquired Phillip Danault in a trade.

Of all the personnel moves, the transaction involving the former Kings forward is arguably the organization's biggest in recent months.

But even so, Danault remains, at this stage of his career, a third center. He won't fill the long-term need for a second center of the future.

Of course, the club could give Oliver Kapanen or other young players (Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky, whose future may lie more on the wing) the chance to fight for the famous position in the short or medium term.

But the GM can also be in on the action.

And according to David Pagnotta, who recently spoke on the subject, if the Canadiens have the opportunity to jump at the chance to go after a second center, they're going to do it.

I hope no one is surprised by such a statement. After all, while there are several centers in town, there's no established top-6 – besides the captain, of course.

Oliver Kapanen is doing a good job, but we don't know if that will last. Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook theoretically have the tools, but we don't know if they'll ever break through. Phillip Danault, Owen Beck, Joe Veleno, and Jake Evans aren't top-6 centers in 2025-2026.

So yes, reinforcements are needed.

Could the Canadiens turn to St. Louis? Rumors between the Canadiens and Blues have refused to die for months, and the Blues are said to be looking to make a deal.

It's still a possibility, yes.

And obviously, with the Pittsburgh Penguins unlikely to go in Sidney Crosby's preferred direction, there's no need to take the Penguins legend out of the running.


overtime

– Still.

– Enjoy.

– Wow.

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