Player Discussion Phillip Danault: What's My Line Edition

[lamp9post]

Phil is a passenger right now, with ZERO goals, and 8 helpers....so don't think we can give Phil any credit for keeping things afloat, this year, or years past since we sucked for the past 5 years.
Everyone knows Phil is one of the best 3rd line centres in the league. Everyone but Phil, he keeps thinking he is more than he is, and the proof is just not there.

Wouldn't exactly call him a passenger. He's the top defensive forward, and top penalty killing forward on the second most penalized team in the league. And gets the toughest 5-5 minutes. On top of this, he doesn't exactly have it easy given that we make the most turnovers in the defensive zone of all teams in the league and our number 1 goalie is rocking a sub .900 save%.

I just don't get the myopic criticism. We KNOW Danault is not a goal scorer and we're not giving him the ice time to support offensive production. It's not like a DD or Galchenyuk situation where they were spoonfed offensive opportunities. Danault's role is clearly defense, and Tatar and Gallagher play alongside him to hopefully provide some counterpunch when matched up against top lines. It is a strategy that can work, but its not a replacement for an actual top line (which we haven't had since Kovalev) and can't overcome the other glaring flaws we're dealing with right now (in particular defensive turnovers, minor penalties, and goaltending).

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

Is that you ? If you are watching the games with these glasses, it would explain everything.

 

[417]

In the AHL, Danault wasn't playing 13 minutes a night...

Exactly...so I would say 13 mins a night in the AHL is worth more or at least the equivalent of 18 mins a night in the AHL

 

[417]

Yep not disputing that at all, but I don't think that's a PD issue. Him and his line did his job there. If you would tell me, we can keep AM34 off the goal chart 5 on 5, I would take that every night. If we ever get to playoffs, I would hope we can keep doing that.

Agreed..but he's not solely responsible for that.

However, we can absolutely try and develop some of other guys in this situation and see what happens, we already have suzuki playing the Tavares line, maybe bump him up and see what happens. We can definitely go the route of developing our guys that way.

We still have Danault for this year, perfect time to do it progressively since he provides a built-in safety blanket.

Really just depends what we want out of the habs this year and what direction they take for the future. If we are actually in this sarcastic all in mentality that has been suggested, we go about it the same way. IF we build around our new core, then yes, unleash the kids and see what happens.That's not on PD or the kids, that on management and the coaching staff

Agreed.

 

[Belial]

Is that you ? If you are watching the games with these glasses, it would explain everything.

Yeah, all the lil dots are clicking now?

 

[Shabs]

Dannos play depends too much on where his head is at and he swings to much to the extremes. Even when he was playing well, he was never elite, not close, but he was demanding top line minutes and top line dollars. Then when he wasn't playing well he just fell off completely and now is a shit show. When he thought he had scored after that gallagher tip at the end of the Winnipeg game that was called back, you could see from his over celebration how heavy the monkey of not scoring is weighing on his back. I don't know if he ever comes back to where he was - not having scored after a year eventually becomes a part of your DNA, like Gomez.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

The rest of the team...

Anyway, again... that is not the point. Even with that line being so good, the team sucked, as a whole, they did not make the PO and were bottom feeder.

But you always argue it was because Danault not being as good as McDavid or Matthews.
You say nothing about Alzner, Mete, Armia, Domi, Byron or the back-up goalie (or the goalie).
The rest of the team if you prefer.
Always Danault and you say the team would be better with McDavid who was a #1 overall, a generational player, like Gretzky or Lemieux. And Danault came in because the center line was so bad. Desharnais did replace Galchenyuk because he was safer than Galchy. Galchy was hated by coach therrien because of his off-ice attitude and drug addict, also because he never followed any system at all, making the uglyest turnovers I ever saw. If DD was given that duty it means that team was so desperate about centers. That was partilally because Gomez was such a mess.

But thing is, Habs didn't draft Getzlaf, Bergeron, Carter, Giroux, Kopitar or Aho. Not even Henrique or Zajak. Nothing except Galchenyuk. I don't read posts from you bashing Timmins. Oh no, never.

Danault was acquired in a trade vs Weise (CheezeWiz) and Fleishman (Margarine brand). What do you expected from a player acquired in a trade like that? Another McDavid? Come on !! Give him a break !

What do we have at center now except Danault? A 21 yrs old young promising center, another 20 yrs old young promising center and a 24 yrs old rookie center playing 4th line. That team is sucking so much with a lot of players, including superstar goalie, superstar defenseman and the rest of the D. But you focus only on danault like he was responsable of everything. And on another thread you don't care if Price allow some goals just to make sure Bergevin get fired. That is your sportsmanship value and you are proud of that. Tabarnak !

 

[417]

Nah bro, Danault cest la piece maitrese pour le dev de suzy et KK , how can't you see it ca m'echape! We, are at game 22 , who said that at game 56 we will not have KK/Suzy/Phil/Ryan as centers? respire/breathe

Hope you're right...but when things aren't going well, you would expect different experiments.

But you're right...there's time...not alot.

 

[Belial]

Danault is the masterpiece
-Belial 2021

Wouldn't that look amazing on that cup everybody's talking about?

 

[BLONG7]

Wouldn't exactly call him a passenger. He's the top defensive forward, and top penalty killing forward on the second most penalized team in the league. And gets the toughest 5-5 minutes. On top of this, he doesn't exactly have it easy given that we make the most turnovers in the defensive zone of all teams in the league and our number 1 goalie is rocking a sub .900 save%.

I just don't get the myopic criticism. We KNOW Danault is not a goal scorer and we're not giving him the ice time to support offensive production. It's not like a DD or Galchenyuk situation where they were spoonfed offensive opportunities. Danault's role is clearly defense, and Tatar and Gallagher play alongside him to hopefully provide some counterpunch when matched up against top lines. It is a strategy that can work, but its not a replacement for an actual top line (which we haven't had since Kovalev) and can't overcome the other glaring flaws we're dealing with right now (in particular defensive turnovers, minor penalties, and goaltending).

Some great points, you need to let Phil know this, because HE himself says he does NOT want to just be a defensive shutdown guy. You are pointing out the obvious, and WE all know he is a great 3rd line centre. HE does not agree with us.
This, and this alone is on 5Mil/Phil. This is the premise we all are having a difficult time with...HE thinks he is more, and he is not.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Is that you ? If you are watching the games with these glasses, it would explain everything.

How can you post something like that? Belial is the poster I respect the most. He always make intelligent post and he is the closer to the reality. I can't say the same with you and some bashing posters that always come back with negative posts about Danault. You should respect Belial and avoid that kind of post. It's not looking good for you dude. It means you are out or arguments.

 

[lamp9post]

Dannos play depends too much on where his head is at and he swings to much to the extremes. Even when he was playing well, he was never elite, not close, but he was demanding top line minutes and top line dollars. Then when he wasn't playing well he just fell off completely and now is a shit show. When he thought he had scored after that gallagher tip at the end of the Winnipeg game that was called back, you could see from his over celebration how heavy the monkey of not scoring is weighing on his back. I don't know if he ever comes back to where he was - not having scored after a year eventually becomes a part of your DNA, like Gomez.

That's a bit disingenuous, don't you think? First and foremost, he scored in the playoffs (Aug. 19), so still a while to go before a year is up on that. If you don't want to count the playoffs, then surely we need to consider the COVID shutdown. He has gone scoreless in the 22 games this year and the last 4 games of the '19-'20 season before it was shut down. So 26 regular season games without a goal. I'm not here to sugarcoat it - its a cold streak and I'm sure he did want that monkey off his back. But not really fair to call 26 games a year.

Some great points, you need to let Phil know this, because HE himself says he does NOT want to just be a defensive shutdown guy. You are pointing out the obvious, and WE all know he is a great 3rd line centre. HE does not agree with us.
This, and this alone is on 5Mil/Phil. This is the premise we all are having a difficult time with...HE thinks he is more, and he is not.

Well, if that's the case I think Phil may find himself in Seattle next season and so be it. Such is life under a salary cap. I won't mourn the loss, however we won't become a stronger team by losing Danault.

 

[CHfan1]

That's a bit disingenuous, don't you think? First and foremost, he scored in the playoffs (Aug. 19), so still a while to go before a year is up on that. If you don't want to count the playoffs, then surely we need to consider the COVID shutdown. He has gone scoreless in the 22 games this year and the last 4 games of the '19-'20 season before it was shut down. So 26 regular season games without a goal. I'm not here to sugarcoat it - its a cold streak and I'm sure he did want that monkey off his back. But not really fair to call 26 games a year.



Well, if that's the case I think Phil may find himself in Seattle next season and so be it. Such is life under a salary cap. I won't mourn the loss, however we won't become a stronger team by losing Danault.

Below is the 2 goals he has scored in his last 55 games, including the playoffs. It’s starting to become concerning. I know he’s not a goal scorer but his production is down from his own standards. Also looking at the goals he’s been involved in this year he’s only had a handful of plays that have directly lead to goals. He’s shown he can play better and hopefully for the Habs he’s able to pick it up.

As far as losing him, I’d like to see the Habs keep him at a reasonable cap hit and term. But the Habs can’t afford to give him $5 million at 6 years in a flat cap era.

 

[cactusjack]

Reason Danault playoff doesnt count is that it was an enpty netter. So he’s scoreless in 36 ganes and 1 in his last 55.

That's a bit disingenuous, don't you think? First and foremost, he scored in the playoffs (Aug. 19), so still a while to go before a year is up on that. If you don't want to count the playoffs, then surely we need to consider the COVID shutdown. He has gone scoreless in the 22 games this year and the last 4 games of the '19-'20 season before it was shut down. So 26 regular season games without a goal. I'm not here to sugarcoat it - its a cold streak and I'm sure he did want that monkey off his back. But not really fair to call 26 games a year.



Well, if that's the case I think Phil may find himself in Seattle next season and so be it. Such is life under a salary cap. I won't mourn the loss, however we won't become a stronger team by losing Danault.

 

[BLONG7]

That's a bit disingenuous, don't you think? First and foremost, he scored in the playoffs (Aug. 19), so still a while to go before a year is up on that. If you don't want to count the playoffs, then surely we need to consider the COVID shutdown. He has gone scoreless in the 22 games this year and the last 4 games of the '19-'20 season before it was shut down. So 26 regular season games without a goal. I'm not here to sugarcoat it - its a cold streak and I'm sure he did want that monkey off his back. But not really fair to call 26 games a year.



Well, if that's the case I think Phil may find himself in Seattle next season and so be it. Such is life under a salary cap. I won't mourn the loss, however we won't become a stronger team by losing Danault.

Because we have been so amazing with Phil?
Look, we need this guy to get his head out of his a$$, but his play THIS year has been way short of what's needed.
If we lose Phil, and we just might, I think there are guys out there, for 3M who can be brought in, and accept their role.

 

[lamp9post]

Reason Danault playoff doesnt count is that it was an enpty netter. So he’s scoreless in 36 ganes and 1 in his last 55.

Danault is struggling offensively, there's no doubt about it, but he's still far from Gomez and he's contributing in other ways (unlike Gomez).

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Because we have been so amazing with Phil?
Look, we need this guy to get his head out of his a$$, but his play THIS year has been way short of what's needed.
If we lose Phil, and we just might, I think there are guys out there, for 3M who can be brought in, and accept their role.

Having a #3 C at that price is possible but Habs need better than that. Suzuki and KK are not dominating anything, except that first 10 games stretch. We need a true 1 C or a 2 C. I don't see the two young centers progressing as fast as I would. With or without Danault, the center line is weak and in today's hockey it's becoming more important. Why Habs never drafted a true center over the years is mind blowing. There is so many they missed.

 

[lamp9post]

Because we have been so amazing with Phil?
Look, we need this guy to get his head out of his a$$, but his play THIS year has been way short of what's needed.
If we lose Phil, and we just might, I think there are guys out there, for 3M who can be brought in, and accept their role.

What? I suggested I'd be perfectly fine if Phil leaves in the offseason. Where in my post did I suggest we've been amazing with him?

My point is that if you think we're going any further with:

Suzuki
KK
Random $3M player
Evans

Than our present centre lineup, I think you might be disappointed. That centre lineup won't fix our defensive turnovers, it won't improve the power play, and it definitely won't improve Price's save%. In fact, it's basically the same C lineup as now, given that Danault IS a $3M player this season.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

How can you post something like that? Belial is the poster I respect the most. He always make intelligent post and he is the closer to the reality. I can't say the same with you and some bashing posters that always come back with negative posts about Danault. You should respect Belial and avoid that kind of post. It's not looking good for you dude. It means you are out or arguments.

I won't take the bait, you are attacking me personally, while I only responded to Belial Gif.

 

[Habs13]

How can you post something like that? Belial is the poster I respect the most. He always make intelligent post and he is the closer to the reality. I can't say the same with you and some bashing posters that always come back with negative posts about Danault. You should respect Belial and avoid that kind of post. It's not looking good for you dude. It means you are out or arguments.

This made me laugh pretty hard. There's one poster on my ignore list... only one. Can you guess who?

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

I won't take the bait, you are attacking me personally, while I only responded to Belial Gif.

Ah that's allright. I'm not angry at you personnaly. In another context I would laught at that kind of gif but I found it wasn't the good timing in the debate at that moment. Belial seem to make some effort keeping the debate in the logic and structured arguments.

 

[HeussLenfoire]

Zidane Zidane Danault

2 great assists

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Is that Gretzky or Danault?

 

[Sagikev]

Zidane Zidane Danault

2 great assists

And beautiful passes. Hopefully that gets him going. The goals will come if he plays like that

 

[azcanuck]

Two of the best plays of the night. Those were sweet. Maybe gets the monkey off his back?