Overview
- Montreal acquired Danault for Columbus’s 2026 second-round pick, as both teams announced late Friday.
- The trade was finalized just before the NHL’s holiday roster freeze took effect.
- Danault has zero goals and five assists in 30 games this season as his ice time declined, with recent scratches and an illness reported.
- The 32-year-old is signed through 2026-27 at a $5.5 million AAV and holds a 10-team no-trade list.
- Montreal adds center depth with Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach sidelined, while Los Angeles gains draft capital after earlier signaling it preferred an NHL-ready return.