NHL Rumors: Multiple teams circling LA Kings' $33M center amid mounting interest

The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly been fielding significant trade interest in center Phillip Danault but sources suggest that the team has no urgent plans to move the veteran forward.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Kings have been receiving calls regarding Danault, though he noted that the organization does not appear to have a strong desire to trade him.

“Sources indicate that the Kings have been receiving calls left and right about Phillip Danault; I don't think they have a strong desire to trade,” Seravalli reported this week.

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Frank Seravalli: Sources indicate that the Kings have been receiving calls left and right about Phillip Danault; I don't think they have a strong desire to trade [him] - Frankly Hockey (12/8)

Danault is in the final two seasons of his six-year contract with an average annual cap hit of $5.5 million. Known for his penalty-killing reliability and faceoff strength, Danault has seen his offensive production decline this season. In 26 games played so far during the 2025-26 season, he has yet to score a goal and has recorded four assists, leaving him with a total of four points and a plus/minus rating of +1.

Despite league-wide interest in Danault as a reliable two-way center, the Kings have not formally placed him on the trade block. Adding complexity is his ten-team no-trade clause, though previous reports indicate he might be willing to discuss a move under the right circumstances.

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LA Kings' Phillip Danault is ‘not on the market’ claims Renaud Lavoie

While trade rumors surrounding Phillip Danault have intensified, hockey insider Renaud Lavoie emphasized this week that the forward is not currently on the market. Speaking on Monday’s JiC show on TVA Sports, Lavoie said:

“As we speak, the Los Angeles Kings are not ready to trade Phillip Danault. He is not on the market. Just because teams are calling doesn’t mean he is on the market.”

Lavoie stressed that he did not speak directly with Danaul but offered his perspective that the center’s preferences might lie with the Montreal Candiens where he played from 2016 to 2021.

“If I were Phillip Danault, I’d be looking at the Montreal Canadiens and thinking, ‘Damn, I’d love to play there, I’d love to finish this contract with the Canadiens,’” he said

The Kings as a team have experienced a mixed start to the 2025-26 campaign. After 22 games, they hold a record of 10 wins, 6 losses and 6 overtime or shootout losses. Special teams have been middling, with a power-play conversion rate near 14.3 percent and a penalty-kill rate just above 80 percent. This perhaps explains why Danault as a defensive-first center continues to be so important to the Kings despite his dip in form.