Philip Daneau Adapted well to the Southern California lifestyle.
After playing for the Montreal Canadiens from 2016-2021, the forward is enjoying warm weather, sunshine and a laid-back atmosphere in his second season with the Los Angeles Kings.
“It’s so easy. The people are so nice and the neighbors are great,” Daneau said last month at the NHL North American Player Media Tour in Henderson, Nevada. You drive a kart, but the lifestyle is so nice, easy and relaxing.It always feels like you’re in Hawaii.It’s special.”
Daneau had a smooth adjustment on the ice, as did the Kings, scoring an NHL career-high 27 goals in 79 games last season and finishing second on the team with a career-high five-game winning goals. Adrian Kempeis the seven. In 2011 he was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with his 26th overall pick in the NHL Draft.At the age of 29, he scored 252 points (84 goals) in his 475 games for the Blackhawks, Canadiens and Kings. , 168 assists). He scored his second goal of the game and season in overtime to give the Kings a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
“When we got Phil, we knew we were getting a good player,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said. It looks like he found a really good compliment. Trevor Moore When [Viktor] Arvidsson and their lower playing style and all. But we certainly have expectations for Phil, and those are now aggressively increased.”
After the Kings signed a six-year, $33 million ($5.5 million average annual value) contract on July 28, 2021, how he used Daneau was as much about him as the weather and lifestyle in California. It has rejuvenated me.
“They gave me every chance to prove myself differently, they used me differently on the ice, not just in defensive confrontations and stuff like that.” Daneau said, “It was definitely a different role. They even gave me some power plays. [time], what I wanted in Montreal. It’s not about scoring points or goals. They gave me the confidence to aggressively believe in myself. “
Daneau will provide the Kings with a reliable center in the second line behind longtime top-line centers Anze CopitalHe played most of last season with Moore on the left and Arvidsson on the right. Moore scored 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in his 81 games, all his NHL career highs. Arvidson scored 49 goals (20 goals and 29 assists) in his 66 games. They started playing together this season as well.
“Honestly, not much has changed. We just talked about the same thing,” Moore said. “We’re trying to be linear, simple players. We just want to work hard, win fights and be good on both sides of the pack, so nothing really changes for us. Hopefully , more the same.
Daneau has increased offensive power without losing other strengths. He had a 53.6% matchup win percentage last season, second only to the Kings to Copiter (56.9%). He was part of a defense that allowed 2.83 goals per game last season, placing him 10th in the NHL and giving up his 3.02 goals per game in his 56 games in the 2020-21 season (21st). ) is an improvement from
‘Phil is a great player,’ says Blackhawks forward Max Domi Said. Domi played with Daneau in Montreal from 2018 to 2020.
“When he was in Montreal for a little while, they kept him with his hands tied behind his back. He’s still doing all the things because I know it can be done..I’m very happy with him.
Daneau has found a new life at Kings. Last season, he helped his Stanley Cup to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, and suffered his 7th loss to the Edmonton Oilers in his Western Conference first round. Now he and Los Angeles are ready to take the next step.
“I think last year was huge for the franchise to get back in the right direction and also for the young players. Game 7 gave us a lot of experience,” Danaud said. “Last season, I think we went one step further in Game 7 of the playoffs.”
“Of course I want to win the Stanley Cup. Improve every day, every year. “
NHL.com Independent Correspondent Dan Greenspan contributed to this report.
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