Kings acquire 2026 second-round draft pick from Montreal (via CBJ) in exchange for Phillip Danault

The LA Kings have acquired Columbus’ 2026 second-round draft pick from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Phillip Danault.

Instant Analysis
Probably not exactly a surprise, eh?

Danault’s name has been floated in trade rumors and speculation for a bit now and with the trade freeze fast approaching this evening, seeing a move come together shouldn’t feel out of the blue.

The Kings get a pretty good draft asset from the Canadiens, acquiring a second-round pick in exchange for Danault. There were reports that the Kings were in search of an NHL player in return, considering where the team is at, but that offer never materialized. The Kings are adding what is currently slated to be a Top-40 draft pick, via Columbus, which is a solid add from a situation that saw both sides seemingly open to a move here. As we sit here today, Columbus is currently last in the Eastern Conference on 34 points and that pick would be the 40th overall selection in next season’s draft, should the season end today. The draft capital is another trade chip that Ken Holland has in his arsenal, should he choose to use it. The Kings are obviously in need of goalscoring and should they need additional draft capital to get another move done, this is another high draft pick that could help acquire another player. The Kings are already stocked with a extra third-round selection and an extra sixth-round selection in 2026, along with all seven of their own picks. No certainty the Kings use the pick that way, but it’s another asset in the mix should the right fit to make a move for an NHL player arise.

In terms of where this move leaves the Kings in terms of available cap space, it’s hard to truly assess, because they’re currently carrying a third goaltender with Darcy Kuemper injured. Also unsure how it might impact a potential callup from the AHL, if desired, to fill Danault’s roster space. Per Puck Pedia, the Kings should have around $8-9 million or so to work with when all is said and done, maybe give or take a bit. Will dive into that later, but that’s a ballpark number for now. Considering banked cap space, the Kings could add players with higher cap hits than that, but would need a compliant 18-man roster in the playoffs, which does complicate things a bit. But that’s for a later day.

When the Kings signed Danault back in 2021, he was brought in to be the second-line center on the Kings. For three-plus seasons, he played that role. Even when Pierre-Luc Dubois was acquired from Winnipeg, the Kings held firm with Danault in the 2C position. With Quinton Byfield moving back into the middle, however, Byfield has worked his way into the 2C role this season, with Anze Kopitar the other top-six center on the roster. There are production issues to work on there as well, but Danault’s production this season has not been that of what the Kings need from a top-six center and it got to a point where both sides became open to what we’re seeing here today.

For today, though, and for the next three games at a minimum, before the trade freeze lifts, the forwards we saw on the roadtrip are the forwards who the Kings will have at their disposal. I’m looking first at Alex Turcotte and the opportunity for him to showcase that the Kings don’t need a third-line center. Turcotte has impressed, in my opinion, in limited minutes. He’s been able to play alongside higher skill players in the past. Turcotte works his bag off when he’s on the ice, he’s trusted defensively, as Jim Hiller said multiple times this week and he’s really taken a big step forward in the faceoff circle, winning 56.3 percent of his draws this season. The offense hasn’t been there yet but let’s be honest, where has the offense been for the Kings this season. Plus, Turcotte has gotten as good of chances as anyone 5-on-5. He ranks second on the Kings this season in high-danger chances, scoring chances and expected goals, all on a per/60 basis. Projecting per/60 numbers to simply remain the same with more minutes is dangerous business. But he’s getting the looks. He deserves the chance to see if he keeps getting the looks with more minutes and if he can turn some of those looks into goals and points. Looking forward to seeing Turcotte get a run. Thought he filled in well on the trip. Now, he should feel like he has a few games to play in that spot, with the trade freeze meaning the Kings aren’t going to just turn around and add another forward. Give Turcotte a run and see how he does. Should also mean that Samuel Helenius gets a few games here as well. Been tough to find minutes for Helenius this season, especially in that he’s often come into the lineup rusty, off consecutive scratches. Should have a chance, now, to find and discover his role, with more consistent minutes.

As Danault departs, he should be remembered here as someone who helped change the culture when he arrived.

Coming off three consecutive losing seasons, Danault signed with the Kings sight unseen in the summer of 2021. It was the first year of the push back towards the postseason. In moving from a team well off the pace in the 2020-21 season to a playoff team one season later in 2021-22, Danault was a huge part in that process. He quickly earned a letter on his jersey and his addition clearly brought a lot of things the Kings needed to get in that year. The little details, as Danault would always describe them as, were so prevalent in his game and they were a big reason why the Kings were able to turn things around for the better.

That’s the player I’ll remember. His offensive output took a severe downturn this season, which was a trend stemming from last season. With the production came a slight reduction in his role and his minutes. A trade makes sense for a number of reasons here when considering where Danault is at this season and what seemed to be a mutual acceptance that a trade could be good for both parties. Still, it’s not the 2025 version of Danault that I’ll remember. He should be remembered fondly for what he brought here over his four-plus seasons, especially the impact he had on that 2021-22 team. Instrumental in getting that team where it ultimately got.

A person, too, who was always an absolute pleasure to work with whenever I had the chance. I always enjoyed my chats with Phil and he never skirted the asks, even when he wasn’t scoring. Think he always found it a bit funny, actually, the media presence here in Los Angeles compared to where he’s both coming from and heading back to, but he never shied away and he was someone I’d frequently look to after team losses to try and provide explanation. He’s someone who I’ll miss seeing around the room. Sure I’m not the only one with the same thoughts there. A good dude. Wishing him the best, for sure.

For now, the Kings are expected to return to practice tomorrow at 11 AM at Toyota Sports Performance Center. Expecting to hear from Kings General Manager Ken Holland and Head Coach Jim Hiller by tomorrow at the latest for their thoughts and I’ll share those here for sure.