Phillip Danault traded minutes before holiday deadline

The Los Angeles Kings aren't off to the start that anyone expected them to be in 2025/26, and as a result, this is a team that's now got to start looking towards the future and a potential rebuild.

Recently, one veteran seemingly took that decision out of their hands, as Phillip Danault reportedly went to the organization and officially requested a trade following a very poor individual start to the new season.

After spending six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, that's where Danault once again calls home, as the Canadiens officially announced on their social media that they had acquired Danault from the Kings.

In exchange, Los Angeles will receive a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and given how poor Danault has been early in the season, it's safe to say that this is very good value for the Kings.

That second-round pick originally belonged to the Columbus Blue Jackets, so now, Kings fans will be keeping an eye on their performance this season as this could end up being a very valuable deal at the end of the season.

Through 30 games played, Danault has just five assists despite posting a solid +6 differential, and given Montreal's need for talent and depth down the middle, it's a move that makes sense for both parties.

Only time will tell if this is the Canadiens only move ahead of the trade deadline, but given how much they were linked to Danault recently, this move shouldn't shock too many people.