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Many Montreal Canadiens fans like to joke that general manager Marc Bergevin enjoys loading his team up with third- and fourth-liners. I’ve overheard people mention that the Habs are overloaded with grinders and role-players though I’m convinced that this is indeed a “beautiful problem… for the organization to have, considering that the top-6 is all but established.
In my last piece, I made mention of David Desharnais’ place within the lineup and how that is up in the air. Considering he has had relative success, I’m not ready to say outright that there’s no room for him but am aware that younger players with more size can give him a run for his money.
During his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks, Bergevin appreciated Phillip Danault’s accomplishments in the QJMHL and influenced management to draft the Victoriaville, QC native with the 26th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Initially, Danault’s playmaking abilities as well as his leadership were key in his selection and his record with the Victoriaville Tigres certainly encouraged the Blackhawks to take a chance on the 6’ 200-lbs center:
His stats are nothing to scoff at; in 243 games played in the Quebec Junior-Major League, he posted 74 goals and 177 assists for 251 points. Unfortunately, playing on a roster as deep as the Hawks’ Stanley Cup-winning team did not necessarily allow Danault to flourish as the playmaker he was touted to be and certainly less as a goal-scorer, even if that was never his strongest suit. He’d subsequently hold his own as a two-way forward, and that is the role he was expected to fulfill when he was brought in by Bergevin at last season’s trade deadline.
He played in 23 games with le Bleu Blanc et Rouge, scoring 3 goals and 5 points. Unfortunately, his work ethic and compete level were insufficient in maintaining a +/- rating above -2, but he showed that he belongs on this team. That vote of confidence was confirmed when he was re-signed to a two-year, one-way deal three days ago that will count for $912,500 towards the salary cap.
His defensive play was certainly appreciated by head coach Michel Therrien’s rather conservative style of hockey, though playing alongside the likes of Mike Brown, Torrey Mitchell, Paul Byron and Jacob De La Rose was not going to necessarily increase his offensive production. During a short stint with Desharnais and Sven Andrighetto, it looked all but certain that Danault could occasionally chip in with some scoring depth.
Moreover, #24’s ability to play on the left wing has arguably made Stefan Matteau expendable, the latter still signed to another year but not wholly expected to crack the lineup. With Lucas Lessio not returning next season, I believe that Danault could start 2016-2017 as a 4th-line left-wing. From time to time, he’ll be called upon to take faceoffs in his own zone and could potentially play down the middle on the third or fourth line should Therrien characteristically shake up his forward group after uninspiring performances.
In my following blogs, I’ll look at Charles Hudon, Torrey Mitchell, Jacob de la Rose, Daniel Carr, Sven Andrighetto, Paul Byron, Michael McCarron and Brian Flynn.