Breaking Down Phillip Danault’s Impact on the Montreal Canadiens

Since the trade, Danault has recorded eight points in 20 games, modest production on paper but entirely secondary to his real value. Averaging 15:54 of ice time per game, he has been deployed exactly as expected, not as a focal point offensively, but as a stabilizing presence throughout the lineup. Perhaps most telling is his 57.8% faceoff success rate since he arrived in Montreal, immediately placing him among Montreal’s most reliable options on draws. For a team that has struggled in the faceoff circle at times, that alone has tangible downstream effects on puck possession and defensive structure.

The Impact

Danault’s arrival has coincided with a noticeable shift in the Canadiens’ results. Since he joined the lineup, Montreal has posted a 13-5-2 record, a stretch that reflects not just better outcomes, but a more controlled brand of hockey. While it would be an oversimplification to credit one player for an entire team’s turnaround, Danault’s influence is hard to ignore.

Faceoffs are often an underappreciated part of the game, but winning draws consistently allows teams to dictate play rather than react. Danault’s efficiency has helped Montreal exit their zone more cleanly, reduce extended defensive shifts, and start with possession in key moments. His calm, predictable decision-making has also eased pressure on younger players and allowed the coaching staff to better manage matchups, especially against opposing top-six forwards.

Beyond the numbers, Danault brings an understanding of what it takes to win in Montreal. He knows the market, the expectations, and the scrutiny. That familiarity shows in the way he plays: composed, disciplined, and rarely trying to do too much. His presence has given the Canadiens a dependable baseline shift after shift, something that becomes especially valuable during long stretches of the season when injuries and fatigue begin to test organizational depth.

Stabilizing the Canadiens When It Mattered Most

Ultimately, Danault’s return has been about stabilization. Not reinvention, not star power, but balance. For a Canadiens team navigating injuries and lineup uncertainty, his addition has allowed roles to fall back into place. Younger centres aren’t being overexposed, wingers have clearer responsibilities, and the coaching staff can deploy lines with greater confidence in defensive situations.

This type of move often goes under the radar because it doesn’t dominate highlight reels or trade-deadline headlines. But teams that aspire to compete need players like Danault, professionals who raise the floor of the lineup and ensure that even on off nights, the structure remains intact. Montreal paid a reasonable price for exactly that, and the early returns suggest it was a smart investment.

As the season continues, Danault’s contribution may never fully be captured by box scores alone. But if the Canadiens remain steady, competitive, and difficult to play against, his fingerprints will be all over it. Sometimes the most important trades aren’t about chasing something new; they’re about bringing back what you know works.