The Montreal Canadiens have a new player, Phillip Danault, and the question on everyone's mind is: how will he fit into the lineup? The Canadiens were in dire need of a center, and Danault's arrival is a step in the right direction. The current situation sees Captain Nick Suzuki shouldering a heavy workload, often playing in every situation. This is not ideal, even for a player as resilient as Suzuki. Danault's presence offers a solution, adding depth at center and reducing Suzuki's responsibilities, which will help improve the team's performance at even strength.
Danault's contribution extends beyond just the center position; he's also expected to bolster the penalty kill. However, this analysis focuses on how to best utilize Danault in even-strength situations.
Finding the Right Fit for Danault
Initially, the acquisition of Danault didn't excite everyone, given his decline in both defensive and offensive numbers. However, the scarcity of available centers in the NHL trade market changes the perspective. The Canadiens needed center reinforcements, and acquiring Danault for a second-round pick in 2026 was a move that addressed a critical need.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Danault's lack of offensive production with the Kings is a concern. However, there's a good chance he could regain his offensive form if paired with more talented linemates than his usual partners in Los Angeles, Trevor Moore and Warren Foegele.
One potential strategy is to use Danault as the second-line center, replacing rookie Oliver Kapanen alongside Ivan Demidov. While Kapanen scores goals, his line tends to be outplayed at 5v5, limiting their ice time. Danault could bring stability, increasing Demidov's average time on ice.
Another option is to deploy Danault as the third-line center, aiming to recapture his defensive excellence from his previous stint with the Canadiens. This would involve reuniting him with Brendan Gallagher, whose underlying numbers remain strong. The challenge lies in finding a suitable replacement for Tomas Tatar, who was instrumental in the team's neutral zone dominance. Alexandre Texier could potentially fill this role, offering more offense. This would also mean shifting Jake Evans to the fourth line, a more appropriate role for the 29-year-old center.
Here are two potential lineup combinations:
Canadiens Forward Lineup Option No.1
- Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Zachary Bolduc
- Juraj Slafkovsky – Phillip Danault – Ivan Demidov
- Alex Texier – Oliver Kapanen – Brendan Gallagher
- Owen Beck – Jake Evans – Josh Anderson
Canadiens Lineup Option No.2
- Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Zachary Bolduc
- Juraj Slafkovsky – Oliver Kapanen – Ivan Demidov
- Alex Texier – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
- Joe Veleno – Jake Evans – Josh Anderson
And this is the part most people miss...
All statistics are based on 5v5 play, unless otherwise stated, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Which lineup option do you think is best? Do you have any other combinations in mind? Share your thoughts in the comments!
