As my colleague Marc-Olivier Cook reported todayThe Kings are unhappy with the return they received from the Phillip Danault trade.
This begs the question: Why did Ken Holland agree to this deal if he didn't want to do it?
Elliott Friedman explains why Los Angeles made the deal there are 32 thoughts in the podcast.
Elliott Friedman: I gotta tell you, I think the split between Phillip Danault and the Kings was nasty, I think there were a lot of hard feelings… on both sides – 32 thoughts (12/22)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) December 26, 2025
According to Friedman, the relationship between Danault and his club deteriorated to the point where both sides were having many problems.heavy feelings towards each other.
The informant directly states that his exit wasugly.
Dano, for his part, was unhappy with his performance and the Kings' system of play.
The center didn't seem to adjust well to his new role, and it showed on the ice when he had no goals and just five assists in 30 games in Los Angeles this season.
However, even though his offensive production dropped, Dano played good and effective hockey in his zone, posting a +3 record and a penalty kill for his former team.
For the Kings, on the other hand, after a campaign that saw just eight goals scored last year, the Quebec forward's declining production was a problem and they needed to find a solution.
Moreover, the situation became increasingly distracting for both the players and the organization.
It's easy to see how things can turn sour quickly in professional sports.
After four seasons at the heart of the Kings' success, Danault probably didn't like the way he was treated this season, and it's easy to see why Ken Holland was forced to make a trade before the holiday freeze.
According to Friedman, things quickly went south between Dano and his team, and relations between the two camps quickly became very tense.
However, it was a win-win situation for the Habs, who were able to acquire the center for a second-round draft pick.
After a while
– Someone else's younger brother.
Cole Hutson isn't looking pic.twitter.com/3hOIma7XKT
– Canadiens Muse (@Canadiens_Muse) December 27, 2025
– Several goals from Will Zellers in a row.
Several goals by Will Zellers(@UNDmhockey | @NHLBruins)!
: #WorldJuniors on the NHL Network! https://t.co/v6BQCXown9 pic.twitter.com/Htg1f67KRv
– NHL Media (@NHLMedia) December 27, 2025
– Brutal shot.
You can't do that. pic.twitter.com/rJtgnSuZcq
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittin'chiclets) December 27, 2025
– What a return.
FIRST 100 YARD KICK IN RATE BOWL HISTORY
pic.twitter.com/Nad0SOuayj
– ESPN (@espn) December 27, 2025
– On the left.
Scotty with a left hand.
Vote for Scotty as an All-Star: https http://t.co/hBrcYmT62a pic.twitter.com/rrAS15sesk
– Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 27, 2025
