Phil Danault reflects on his decision to sign with Los Angeles and comments on the Fiala trade

PUBLICATION

Jeff Drouin
August 13, 2022 (12:58)

SHARE THIS STORY

It's been a little over a year since Phillip Danault left the Habs to join the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent and let's just say that he has no regrets about his decision to move to California.

Danault was in Quebec City in the last few days as part of the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am and as reported by Samuel Doiron of Habsolumentfan.com, he admits he's still on cloud nine with his new team and loves his role as leader with the Kings.

"The Kings came in for me and I was able to exploit my game in a different way. They saw my game the same way I did. I have to try not to look too far ahead either. As you get older, your role changes and that's normal, but I don't see it changing right away. That said, it's true that we have several good youngsters growing and they're the ones who will help us win one day."

In his first season in the black and silver uniform, the Victoriaville-born forward had quite a season with a career-best 27 goals for a total of 51 points and his trio led the Kings in the first round series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Despite being eliminated in seven games against Connor McDavid's team, his team gave the Oilers a good scare and it's safe to say that he enjoyed being back in the playoffs.

The challenge is the same every season, it's to get your team to the playoffs and do your best. When you go to the playoffs, that's when the best hockey is played. Since the run with Montreal, it's really given me the desire to be in the playoffs every year."

Despite playing in Los Angeles, the former Hab continues to hear about his old team when he crosses paths with the team's fans and let's just say it makes him smile, because Montreal will always have a very special place for him.

I still hear about it big time. All summer long, I was hearing about it. But it's always in a good way, it's nice comments."

Danault will enter the second year of his six-year contract signed in the summer of 2021 in 2022-2023, and he's confident the Kings will have another very good season, especially since GM Rob Blake acquired forward Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild.

"What we were missing most of all was a left winger on the top three. That was a great move by Rob Blake."

Danault loves this major trade made by his general manager.