Philip Danault, as we all know, was traded to the Canadiens last Friday. The center clearly needed a new start.(even if he didn't ask the Kings to trade him, according to his agent)), and he's going to get it in Montreal.
Even if in his case we are talking more about going back to the roots than a new beginning, hehe.
However, we know the Habs weren't alone in the race for Danault's services. And David Pagnotta on today's episode DFO Rundown Insider Editionspoke about another club that made an offer to the Kings: the Carolina Hurricanes.
What was interesting was what was in this sentence. While Pagnotta couldn't provide all the details, he did recognize the identity of one part of the proposal.
We're talking about… Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
According to Pagnotta, the Kings didn't like the fact that QC He still had four years left on his contract after that season, especially for a guy the club had a hard time introducing into their squad. That's why Ken Holland preferred the draft pick.
The club, which needed a center (ideally a young one), chose a second-round pick over Kotkaniemi: this says a lot about the Finn's value.
According to Pagnotta, the Hurricanes tried sell Kotkaniemi moved to another club for a long time. His name is discussed as Canes try to improve your club. But even in a league where everyone is looking for center players, there clearly isn't much interest in the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.
However, imagine a world in which Danault and Kotkaniemi were traded for each other: It would have caused (a lot of) talk in Montreal, given the fact that both guys left the club in the same offseason.
After a while
– ECHL players go on strike.
The PHPA has formally issued notice of strike to the ECHL. pic.twitter.com/QCRTeWd5qN
– Andrey Zadarnovski (@AZadarski) December 23, 2025
– They play big hockey.
“Don't touch this!” — Francois Gagnon pic.twitter.com/qtYHYCACLn
– L'Antichambre (@Antichambre) December 23, 2025
– Classic.
Frank Seravalli: On Rasmus Andersson: Count on all the traditional no-tax states that have a chance to win, these are coveted destinations – frankly hockey (12/19)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) December 23, 2025
