Here’s why the habs didn’t hesitate to pay for Phillip Danault

Michaël Petit
Here’s why the habs didn’t hesitate to pay for Phillip Danault
Credit: Getty Images

Like the Montreal Canadiens' acquisition of Alexandre Carrier last year, Phillip Danault's return to the Québécois metropolis is extremely good news for the Canadiens.

It's the kind of trade, just before the trade freeze, that doesn't cost much and makes a big difference for the price paid.

Carrier put everyone back in their chairs, and every pair of defensemen was better. He brings defensive stability, as we know, and it's the same principle for Danault.

He's a big help to the Habs' defensive plan and face-off circle, which they sorely needed to improve.

This type of transaction usually costs more than a 2nd-round pick, but it was the perfect time for the Habs to reacquire Danault.

In this article, Marco D'Amico explains why the Habs didn't hesitate to pay for the Québécois center.

According to D'Amico, there's a fear about the price to pay to acquire a player, and the trade freeze is the ideal time to do it. That's one of the reasons why the Habs didn't hesitate in the slightest to bring Danault back to Montreal, especially for a mere second-round pick.

D'Amico also adds that the Kings wanted to conclude this trade before the freeze, which accelerated the process (and probably lowered the price tag).

Danault was the only top-9 center posted available since last summer, and he cost less than the other forward options.

By way of comparison, winger Mason Marchment was traded minutes after Danault for a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick.

As my colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois mentioned in a text earlier this week, Kent Hughes is expecting a quieter deadline than usual. This means that the offer will be lower, so the price to acquire a player will be higher.

This will make it more difficult for buyers. Could Danault have cost a first-round pick at the deadline? Maybe yes, maybe no, but it certainly would have been more than a second-round pick.

Definitely, it was the perfect time to add Danault to the Montreal roster, and no one regrets the addition.


Overtime

– Here's a player who never gives up.

– Interesting.

– Incredible.

– Indeed, the Habs are certainly a contender in the East right now, especially with a healthy team.

– Read on.

– Hamilton is not having a good season. Is a trade close for the big right-handed defenseman?

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