Whenever a player is remotely available, you can bet that the Carolina Hurricanes aren't too far behind. Even if they aren't serious contenders for a player, they almost always reach out to check in and see what it could take. Just look at the Quinn Hughes situation. The Canes put an offer on the table, though it wasn't nearly enough to get it done.
On Tuesday, there was a center from the Los Angeles Kings who reportedly made it known that he would be open to a trade, hoping to see it done before the roster freezes on December 20, ahead of the holidays. That center was Phillip Danault, though his agent, Allan Walsh was quick to deny it. Regardless, the Canes are right in the middle of it, checking in to see what's going on.
Sources indicate that Phil Danault has asked for a tradein LA. His camp hopes a deal gets done sooner than later; prior to the Trade Freeze.
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) December 16, 2025
Kings are willing to wait it out, looking for a player-for-player trade.
MTL, NJD and CAR are some of the teams to kicked tires there.
Danault is struggling through one of the worst seasons of his career. In 30 games with the Kings, he has just five assists, and his numbers have been trending in the wrong direction over the last four years. He's in the penultimate year of his five-year contract with Los Angeles, making $5.5 million against the cap. He's also just about two months shy of his 33rd birthday.
When he's on his game, Danault is incredibly effective. He is good in the dot, never finishing below 50 percent each season for the last decade. Danault has shown an ability to score goals, topping out at 27 goals in 2021-22, his first season with the Kings. However, he's probably better served as a playmaker, reaching 30+ assists five times during his career, including each of the last three seasons.
While a good player, Danault doesn't fit this team
When considering where I see him fitting into the lineup, I envision Danault as a smaller version of Jordan Staal. He's good in the dot and isn't afraid to throw his weight around when he needs to. He's far better suited to be the center of a checking line than a scoring line. Unfortunately, that's not what the Hurricanes need right now.
The Canes have five centers on the roster, and only one of them is really a Top-6 center. Logan Stankoven is experiencing the growing pains of being a full-time center in the NHL, though he has shown flashes. Jordan Staal and Mark Jankowski feel very similar, serving best in the Bottom 6. The team has tried Jesperi Kotkaniemi as the 2C, but it hasn't worked consistently enough.
If the Canes are looking for an upgrade on the second line, this isn't the right move for them to make. They should be looking for a legitimate offensive threat up the middle to support Sebastian Aho. I don't believe the answer is Phillip Danault. I especially don't think it's the right move for that amount of money.
While there are certain to be other teams involved, the Devils and the Canadiens were the other two teams explicitly stated as having "kicked tires" in inquiring about Danault. As much as it pains me to say it, both would be better fits. There is plenty of familiarity between Danault and Montreal. He was on the 2020-21 Canadiens team that went to the Stanley Cup Final, losing to Tampa in five games.
If Danault's camp wants their wishes to be met, they have just a few days before the rosters freeze for Christmas, though it feels like a soft deadline to get something done. We'll have to keep a close eye on the situation and whether the Hurricanes are serious contenders to acquire him. I suspect this is just another instance of the front office asking around, but it's an interesting development.