Phillip Danault Opens Up About Contract Extension

The Montreal Canadiens were overjoyed last year as forward Phillip Danault took a giant step forward in his development. The Habs center had 47 points in 71 games, and was on pace for a career high before the pandemic pause. His defensive game also improved and he was called upon to help shut down Sidney Crosby during the playoffs.  

Danault's one of the main reasons the team was open to trading Max Domi. While he's excited to get back at it next season, his future in Montreal is currently in doubt.

The 27-year-old former first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks met with the media recently and had this to say about signing a contract extension in Montreal:

Right now there’s no negotiations. So we’re at square one.

I never said I want to be the first-line center and be, like, the man every game. The way I view things is the day I will be set on a defensive role, full time, that day will be like I want to stop getting better every year.

I’ll kind of be a mentor for the kids, I’ll show them some tricks, I want us to help each other a lot.

Danault is entering his sixth season with Montreal and is set to make $3.1 million. His next contract is likely to hover around $5 - 5.5 million per season and he could be used as the perfect number three center behind youngsters Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Habs fans are hoping for another big year from Danault. After that is anyone's guess.