Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images
In the first year of a new three-year deal, Danault was part of one of the top lines in the league.
A prospect when he was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2016, Phillip Danault had a great first full NHL season the following year, posting 40 points. His 2017-18 campaign was reduced to just 52 contests by injury, but he played just about a full schedule last year, compiling a career-high 53 points.
With his original two-year contract he’d signed with the Montreal Canadiens expired, Danault returned to the team on a contract that paid him just over $3 million per year until the end of the 2020-21 season.
It was a good deal for the overall health of the organization, considering it was signed just after a draft that focused on adding young centremen. Danault’s presence in the lineup would allow the team to take its time with those prospects and others who were nearing NHL readiness. At the same time, it wasn’t long enough to block someone should a young player prove to be a better option in his spot in the lineup.
January 25, 2019: Phillip Danault should be a candidate for the Selke Trophy
The first year of that new deal went very well for the Victoriaville native. Playing mostly with Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher, he was contributing a fair amount of offence while his defensive chops were limiting chances at his own end. For those reasons, he deserved consideration for an award typically contested by the most complete forwards in the NHL.
While he rarely stands out with his skill, he’s usually making the right decisions and getting into proper position to support his teammates, working to keep the puck moving away from his net and toward the opposition’s goal. His subtle plays to facilitate attacks from the other players on the ice lead to a positive impact most nights.
June 19, 2019: Where Montreal Canadiens players and personnel finished in NHL Awards voting
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as he did indeed get consideration for the Selke Trophy. He was on a total of 31 ballots submitted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, with one first-place nod, as he finished seventh overall.
July 15, 2019: Phillip Danault established himself with his best season to date
He had shown he was capable of playing a big role for the Canadiens, but in 2018-19 he proved he could excel even in the biggest. Few players had better underlying metrics last season, and he played in all situations for a team that put together a charge late in the season to challenge for a playoff spot.
July 17, 2019: Three years after being acquired, Phillip Danault is filling the shoes of Tomas Plekanec
His performance was of the kind we saw from Tomas Plekanec in his best years, not with the same goal-scoring numbers, but with similar production and effectiveness in all three zones. There were concerns about who would take the tougher minutes with Plekanec no longer in the fold, but Danault wasn’t just out on the ice hoping to survive against top competition, he was forcing them to play defence.
Placed in the toughest situations and still finding ways to control the play, Danualt was one of the most effective centres in the league in terms of overall play. Patrice Bergeron is largely considered the most complete forward in the game — having four Selke Trophies to show for it — but last season Danault matched him very closely in a multitude of categories. With confidence in his ability to play at the top position each night, his play should only improve going forward.