Kings sign Phillip Danault for 6 years

[Statue4Deano]

I think Danault is more Stoll than Handzus. He's another FO stud and skates pretty well.

Stoll's defense was never great. He was a very average defender at his peak and down right bad as he got older. Handzus was slow as hell but he was a monster in his own end. Danault is an interesting mix of the two.

 

[NewCastle]

Zus was 30 years old when he signed that 4 year deal, Danault is 28 so the terms aren't ridiculous. Both contracts were their respective biggest deals. It's pretty comparable and not as scary as the first glance. He will be overpaid by the time he's 32, but so will every other 32 yo that's not going to the HOF.

I get your point. But a big difference between the 2 teams is that Lombardi didn't have the glut of prospect centers that Blake has now. The way I see it, length of Danault's contract gets in the way of moving some of the drafted talent up -- as they too will need time and space on the roster to grow in the league.

 

[Greg33]

Don't panic Rob Blake knows exactly what he's doing

 

[jammer06]

I get your point. But a big difference between the 2 teams is that Lombardi didn't have the glut of prospect centers that Blake has now. The way I see it, length of Danault's contract gets in the way of moving some of the drafted talent up -- as they too will need time and space on the roster to grow in the league.

This way the kids have to earn it is another way to look at it. Lets have a logjam because they are beating out Danault vs Lizotte. If the kids are good enough the problem will solve itself, if the kids aren't.... well there's going to be all kinds of problems.

 

[Statue4Deano]

I get your point. But a big difference between the 2 teams is that Lombardi didn't have the glut of prospect centers that Blake has now. The way I see it, length of Danault's contract gets in the way of moving some of the drafted talent up -- as they too will need time and space on the roster to grow in the league.

The prospects aren't ready. Blake wants to build a competitive team next season. Only 2 center slots are taken. Anderson-Dolan and Byfield probably have the inside track for the other center slots. Which other center prospect is ready for NHL minutes?

 

[triplcrown]

In 2-3 years, Helenius will come in and sweep
this guy aside like crumbs off a table.

But until then, we've got a .5Pt/game FW who is well-above average defensively
and wins faceoffs.

Might still be trade-able in 3-4 yrs, if we cover part of his salary.

This could work out.

 

[LAKingSteve]

This is about taking some of the pressure off Kopi as the only defensive minded center...and hoping he brings or creates some offense with the guys on his wings.

Hoven's POV

https://mayorsmanor.com/2021/07/why-kings-add-ufa-forward-phillip-danault-for-six-years/

Some highlights:

The signing could put LA’s Opening Night lineup something similar to this:

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Danault – Brown
Athanasiou – Vilardi – Andersson
Moore – JAD – (Forward 12)
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Notice no Byfield on opening night

Here’s what we’ve been able to learn thus far:

— Of all the UFA forwards out there, LA was most interested in a center. They already had the addition on wing in Arvidsson. In Danault, they get a player who is solid defensively and can take some of the pressure off of Kopitar playing such a heavy workload, especially on the penalty kill.

— Danualt gathered most of his points 5?5 the past few seasons, an area the Kings needed help.

— What LA likes about this deal is it allows Vilardi and Byfield to grow into their roles. When either is ready for the 2C, Danault can drop down to 3C.

— For the 2021-22 season, Byfield will either play 3C (with Vilardi moving to wing) or start off with AHL Ontario, as explained below. Until he’s ready for heavy minutes on a full-time basis in the NHL, they have an insurance polity in Danault that allows them to field a roster worthy of contending for a playoff spot.

— The Kings continue to be intrigued by Tkachyov, their newest Russian forward. They’re not sure what he’ll do in camp and if he can earn an NHL roster spot. However, they knew he had little chance to line up alongside a very young NHL center. The signing of Danault gives him a better chance at legitimately fighting for a spot.

— Wagner and Grundstrom could end up as the waiver casualties in all of this. And JAD being waiver exempt does give them another option. Meaning, he could start the season with AHL Ontario while they sort out all of these bottom-6 players.

— From what we understand, the Kings were at about $2.5M in their previous offers to Athanasiou. They knew they were close before the qualifying offer was due, so they qualified him to block other teams talking to him. They landed at $2.75M today and signed the deal. They like the player. He fit in nicely to the team, the system, and was better defensively than he’d been advertised.

— Vilardi to wing is an option. Turcotte is most likely moving to a more regular role on the wing. As we’ve noted several times, he looked really good there in the second half of the season with Ontario.

— Perhaps the best part about the Danault deal is it gives the Kings plenty of options moving forward. When that young LD1 becomes available, they have the picks and prospects to make that trade.

 

[NewCastle]

The prospects aren't ready. Blake wants to build a competitive team next season. Only 2 center slots are taken. Anderson-Dolan and Byfield probably have the inside track for the other center slots. Which other center prospect is ready for NHL minutes?

I didn't say the center prospects were ready now. They're still prospects after all. I'm not crazy about the 6 years is all. I'm happy to get some experience in the middle-6 fwd group. But the LENGTH of the contract -- so let's say the last 3 years -- is in the way of moving some center prospects up. I'd hope our center prospects would be more than ready for NHL duty in 3 years time.

Bridge deals is what I was hoping Blake would do.

 

[triplcrown]

Zus was 30 years old when he signed that 4 year deal, Danault is 28 so the terms aren't ridiculous. Both contracts were their respective biggest deals. It's pretty comparable and not as scary as the first glance. He will be overpaid by the time he's 32, but so will every other 32 yo that's not going to the HOF.

 

[Helvetica]

Might still be trade-able in 3-4 yrs, if we cover part of his salary.

I doubt they'll need to. Cap will have to go up in a couple years, and we can drop him to 3C. As long as you believe he's as good as advertised, and he can keep that up for the next 2-4 yrs, this contract should age well.

 

[MiketheKing]

Kings need a scoring winger and a defenseman so they sign a defensive center. This is so Kings and so stupid

Are you ****ing serious? We're overflowing with centers and now we get one that doesn't even score Rob Blake has lost his goddamn mind somebody check for syphilis

 

[Statue4Deano]

I didn't say the center prospects were ready now. They're still prospects after all. I'm not crazy about the 6 years is all. I'm happy to get some experience in the middle-6 fwd group. But the LENGTH of the contract -- so let's say the last 3 years -- is in the way of moving some center prospects up. I'd hope our center prospects would be more than ready for NHL duty in 3 years time.

Bridge deals is what I was hoping Blake would do.

The good news is when an aging player is overpaid the team and the coaching staff usually looks internally for a replacement before they look outward. Meaning if a prospect is a ready in the coming years to move him down the line, he'll get the opportunity. Competition is good and Danault is a good player. He's not the type of player or contract that will block anyone behind him. Even with his big price tag and term.

 

[santiclaws]

— Of all the UFA forwards out there, LA was most interested in a center.

The most interesting takeaway from my viewpoint.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

This is about taking some of the pressure off Kopi as the only defensive minded center.

Hoven's POV

https://mayorsmanor.com/2021/07/why-kings-add-ufa-forward-phillip-danault-for-six-years/

Some highlights:

The signing could put LA’s Opening Night lineup something similar to this:

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Danault – Brown
Athanasiou – Vilardi – Andersson
Moore – JAD – (Forward 12)
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Notice no Byfield on opening night

Here’s what we’ve been able to learn thus far:

— Of all the UFA forwards out there, LA was most interested in a center. They already had the addition on wing in Arvidsson. In Danault, they get a player who is solid defensively and can take some of the pressure off of Kopitar playing such a heavy workload, especially on the penalty kill.

— Danualt gathered most of his points 5?5 the past few seasons, an area the Kings needed help.

— What LA likes about this deal is it allows Vilardi and Byfield to grow into their roles. When either is ready for the 2C, Danault can drop down to 3C.

— For the 2021-22 season, Byfield will either play 3C (with Vilardi moving to wing) or start off with AHL Ontario, as explained below. Until he’s ready for heavy minutes on a full-time basis in the NHL, they have an insurance polity in Danault that allows them to field a roster worthy of contending for a playoff spot.

— The Kings continue to be intrigued by Tkachyov, their newest Russian forward. They’re not sure what he’ll do in camp and if he can earn an NHL roster spot. However, they knew he had little chance to line up alongside a very young NHL center. The signing of Danault gives him a better chance at legitimately fighting for a spot.

— Wagner and Grundstrom could end up as the waiver casualties in all of this. And JAD being waiver exempt does give them another option. Meaning, he could start the season with AHL Ontario while they sort out all of these bottom-6 players.

— From what we understand, the Kings were at about $2.5M in their previous offers to Athanasiou. They knew they were close before the qualifying offer was due, so they qualified him to block other teams talking to him. They landed at $2.75M today and signed the deal. They like the player. He fit in nicely to the team, the system, and was better defensively than he’d been advertised.

— Vilardi to wing is an option. Turcotte is most likely moving to a more regular role on the wing. As we’ve noted several times, he looked really good there in the second half of the season with Ontario.

— Perhaps the best part about the Danault deal is it gives the Kings plenty of options moving forward. When that young LD1 becomes available, they have the picks and prospects to make that trade.

was watching NHL network when they discussed the AA signing, and Elliotte Friedman was saying he is all speed, no hands, or something to that effect. basically that he hadn't put speed and hands together, but apparently this guy doesn't watch Kings games. AA displayed some of the most dazzling dekes I have ever seen from a King, when driving from the half wall to the center of the ice..

 

[jom]

Looks like a bit of an overpayment, but it's basically what they were paying for Carter. I dont think its terrible, and hopefully they can pull extra offense out of Kopitar if they can stack the defensive responsibilities on Denault. But the lack of goal scoring is definitely a concern. He seems to be a 40-50 pt guy though, but we better start getting some wingers that can score. Id say this definitely rules us out of any sort of Eichel trade. Can we still grab Tarasenko?

I see him taking over some of Kopitar's defensive duties and all them when it's time for Kopitar to leave. I wonder about the center position though....which center will still be with the Kings after Byfield? Turcotte? Kupari? Vilardi? Should be interesting.

I think you are correct about Eichel...frankly I don't think the Kings were ever in it. Tarasenko however.....?

jom

 

[MiketheKing]

was watching NHL network when they discussed the AA signing, and Elliotte Friedman was saying he is all speed, no hands, or something to that effect. basically that he hadn't put speed and hands together, but apparently this guy doesn't watch Kings games. AA displayed some of the most dazzling dekes I have ever seen from a King, when driving from the half wall to the center of the ice..

He must have been confused with Wagner otherwise he's an idiot I agree, AA is one of the most exciting players last year to watch and he could finish

 

[Helvetica]

I think you are correct about Eichel...frankly I don't think the Kings were ever in it. Tarasenko however.....?

I was probably one of the few that was pretty enticed by the possibility of acquiring Eichel. The health issue was obviously a concern, but the guy is elite in my book. I haven't even looked to see if we have the cap space this year to fit Tarasenko. Certainly St. Louis could retain, but it probably would have been easier to facilitate a trade if they didn't need to. The likely scenario is that we're done here. They grabbed a winger nd a center, both were strong at driving play. Both will slot into the top 6. The defensive scoring issue remains, but it appears that edler is just going to kick that can down the road another year.

I will say this, if the Kings miss the playoffs this season, heads are going to roll.

 

[DryKing]

I doubt they'll need to. Cap will have to go up in a couple years, and we can drop him to 3C. As long as you believe he's as good as advertised, and he can keep that up for the next 2-4 yrs, this contract should age well.

Agreed, worst case we trade him down the road (highly doubt we'd need to retain salary 2-3 years from now in order to do so) but either way this was a great signing. The type of game Danault plays in itself should age well, and it gives us a vet with finals experience to plug in prospects (with high offensive capabilities and developing defensive games) around. Pretty savvy move by Blake and team.

 

[jt]

Top 6 you say?!?!?

Well...he was top 6 on a SCF team.

I like this. It is a high amount but he could become this squads Jarrett Stoll. Great defensively and good feet and hands.

I LOVE this signing. The more I read a out him the more I thought he was the perfect UFA signing for the Kings.

It is not a big overpayment, this was his expected contract pretty much. MTL offered the same salary, the Kings just gave him one more year.

Rumor is the deal he turned down was 6 x $5.

I don't understand the thinking behind this move, other than freeing up Kopi

IMO this was a GREAT signing. It frees up Kopi. Danault knows what it takes to make a long playoff run. It takes pressure off the young centers to play the toughest minutes. It freea up Blake to deal 2 of the young centers for the young dynamic LD they need.

was watching NHL network when they discussed the AA signing, and Elliotte Friedman was saying he is all speed, no hands, or something to that effect. basically that he hadn't put speed and hands together, but apparently this guy doesn't watch Kings games. AA displayed some of the most dazzling dekes I have ever seen from a King, when driving from the half wall to the center of the ice..

I saw that too. I don't think they meant he has bad hands like you mean, but that he's got bad hands in terms of finishing.

 

[jgs]

Danault is a shut down center and he played avery big role in The Canadiens run to the Cup. Score some clutch goals in the playoffs. Yes the Kings have alot of centermen, but they are not very good. You can ponly wait so long for a player to develop into NHL caliber. This gives the Kings two solid centermens. And Denault will be taking those important defensive zone faceoffs that need to be won, and he can do that consistently. Bit overpaid but hey Kings have the cap space.