2024-02-09 23:31:15
When the Kings acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois last summer, we could question the plan with Phillip Danault. After all, the Quebecer has a contract worth $5.5 million per season and for a third-line center, that can be expensive.
However, Dubois had a season below expectations (which resulted in the team’s third center being paid $8.5 million annually) and Danault continued to be one of the most reliable players in the NHL.
Journalist Connor Doyle, responsible for covering hockey in Los Angeles, even talks about the team’s catalyst.
Anyone want to read about some Phil Danault appreciation?
He doesn’t ever lead the team in points
He doesn’t ever lead the team in goalsDoesn’t matter, as of the last few seasons ? He’s the catalyst in LA#GoKingsGo #NHL
— Connor Doyle (@LordsOfTheRinks) February 8, 2024
That’s saying something for a guy playing behind Anze Kopitar, one of the best centers in the NHL and a future hall of famer, among others.
The Slovenian may be better offensively, but Danault is still collecting points at a respectable rate and defensively, he is doing a superb job. Moreover, since he was a member of the Kings, his trio is always among the NHL’s elite.
In 2021-2022, the trio he completed with Viktor Arvidsson and Trevor Moore was ranked sixth in the category xGoals. This statistic, which determines the percentage chance that a blocked shot becomes a goal, was calculated among trios who played at least 400 minutes together.
In 2022-2023, this same line ranked seventh (500 minutes) and this season, Danault, Moore and this time, Kevin Fiala, are fifth.
The observation is clear: no matter who Danault plays with, his trio is among the most consistent defensively on the Bettman circuit. The Quebecer may not have the numbers of Kopitar or Fiala (he still has 30 points in 48 games), he may not be the XFactor, but he is the most consistent center on the team .
In Los Angeles, he is adored. And this excellent text by Doyle, describing the center of leader underestimated in particular, is proof of this. It’s easy to say in hindsight, but for $5.5 million annually, number 24 wouldn’t have been too much in Montreal.
A lot of
– We’re here.
Arena: a vending machine sells hockey sticks
— RDS (@RDSca) February 9, 2024
– As François Legault would say, it’s “cool”.
Found this wine at the SAQ pic.twitter.com/BxtJRWYJKk
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 9, 2024
– Good question.
Career points:
646 — Drew Doughty
646 — Roman JosiIn their prime, which one are you taking? pic.twitter.com/E0VEc0KkzI
— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) February 9, 2024
– Well done.
Filip Gustavsson showed up like this for Marc Andre Fleury Night
(: @mnwild) pic.twitter.com/TPWJEimFUB
— BarDown (@BarDown) February 9, 2024
– Your impressions?
Carey Price vs. Logan Couture. Would you have done it? Snake yes.
To find out why, listen to episode 2 of Process on all our platforms ️ #price #couture #lnh #process #podcast #ca pic.twitter.com/l3vtH358B9
— commissionathletique (@Commissionathl) February 9, 2024
1707527793
#Phillip #Danault #catalyst #Kings