On July 28, Rob Blake and the Los Angeles Kings gave Phillip Danault a six-year, $33 million deal. Sure, that's a lot of money for a player listed as a 3rd string center. Yes, but no!
Luc Robitaille, the President of the Los Angeles Kings, appeared on JiC Lajoie's show and the host of his own daily was quick to question him about this monstrous deal. Why give so much money to a player who will become a 3rd center?
Robitaille's answer makes sense. Maybe he'll pivot the 3rd unit once the youngsters develop, but he'll still play 19 or 20 minutes, so at the level of an "impact" player.
"He deserves it, he's a good hockey player and we needed a veteran who would be good on the ice to help our youth play the right way. A number 1 or number 2 or number 3 center...it's the ice time that's important and Danault is always going to play 18-19-20 minutes a game because he's the kind of player that makes any coach comfortable. No matter where he is on the roster, he's going to play important minutes," said Robitaille.
