Quoting: Devil1122
Devils don't need another center
I would go against that statement. Devils need a good center to replace Zajac next year, might as well get him in now and extend him right off the bat. Plus Danault is great at puck drop. He gets the puck at over 55-54% of the time for the past two seasons. Over 50% for the past 4 seasons. Plus he puts up decent numbers, and is in the + for the past 4 seasons (5, 0 17 and 18).
NJ Have Hisher (-16, 36pts); Zajac (-12, 25pts); Zacha (-12, 32pts); Hughes (-26, 21pts) and Mcleod (+4 but 2pts/12 games..) compared to Danault (+18, 47pts).
Hughes is in his first yr at NHL, so he's not ready to take on the 1st line right now;
Hisher, young guy but 7M$ cap hit so he'll need the experience from a good centerman like Danault;
Zacha, third centerman at best right now better to move him the fourth; and
McLeod.. Not NHL ready he's up and down from NJ.
Get someone like Danault in the mix for three to four years and you have yourself a very good top three centermen lineup. First two years (this and next), Danault can take top or second line which is what he wants. If Hughes doesn't move up he can take his time in development on the third for an extra year.
Only reason I would trade Danault out is the salary aspect and cap space MTL faces right now, and would need to bring in another winger. We have too many centers that can take on the top 3 roles now (if we would Sign Brassard to mentor KK and Suzuki since he's ok with being a third liner).
Else I'd keep him.