Over the last several years, Canadiens forward Phillip Danault has become one of the best two-way centers in the National Hockey League, even earning one first place vote for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, and finishing sixth in total voting.
Entering the final year of his contract, Danault's future in Montreal remains unclear, but the Victoriaville, Quebec native remains focused one the current season.
In his media availability Sunday, Danault also mentioned that there has been no contract talks with the Canadiens, and that he will leave that with his agent so he can focus on playing hockey this season.
"I have a mission this year, and that's to honour the last year of my contract with the Canadiens with pride." - Phillip Danault, who says there have been no further contract talks with the Canadiens. Said he is leaving that with his agent, and he will concentrate on hockey.— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) January 9, 2021
Danault, 27, was drafted in the first round, 26th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Chicago traded Danault to Montreal in February 2016 for Dale Weise, and Tomas Fleischmann.
In 339 regular season games, he's tallied 175 points (50 G, 125 A), 154 penalty minutes, and is a +35. In 16 career playoff games, Danault has put up 5 points (1 G, 4 A), 8 penalty minutes, and is a +/-0.
Internationally, Danault has represented Canada on a couple of occasions, most recently at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. In 6 games, he had 1 point (1 A), 2 penalty minutes, and was a -2 as Canada finished fourth after losing to Russia in the Bronze Medal Game.
