HOCKEY IN SUMMER?
Habs centre focusing on next season, says NHL should go directly to playoffs
Habs’ Danault scoffs at idea
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is exploring every option for completing the 2019-20 season — which is now suspended by the COVID -19 crisis — but Canadiens centre Phillip Danault said his focus is already on next season.
The most popular ideas being floated by the NHL to restart the season would have all 31 teams playing at four centralized locations.
“It really makes no sense, in my head, to distance myself for two months from my kid,” Danault said during a conference call on Tuesday from his home near Quebec City.
“And I imagine it makes even less sense for those who would go far in the playoffs, who are on playoff teams right now. If a team goes to the Stanley Cup Finals, it could be three to four months. It’s inhumane to do that, as far as I’m concerned. But the league has to make a decision and I imagine the players will have to vote on it — and I’m not sure they’ll be in favour of being away from family for two to three months.”
The Canadiens’ hopes of making the playoffs pretty much died with 11 games left in the season and a 31-31-9 record. When asked about the best possible scenario for a return to play this season, Danault said the NHL should focus on the playoffs.
“There are still (11) games left in the regular season and I don’t think it would be much motivation for the teams who aren’t in the playoffs,” Danault said. “We’ll have a break of two to three months. It would be tough. Otherwise, I’d say we just focus on next season.
“But I understand the scenario for playoff teams. There are general managers who made moves, who traded first-round picks. I understand the desire to finish the season, but there are more important things in the world right now.”
With 13-34-47 scoring totals, Danault was on his way to a career season when the NHL suspended play in mid-march. The 27-year-old said he has resumed training and noted he’s one of the lucky players who still has access to some ice, although warming temperatures will soon remove that advantage.
“There’s ice where we are, the lake is still frozen,” said Danault, who recently posted a video on Twitter of him stickhandling on the ice while wearing boots.
“Yes, it’s possible for me to train, but we’re still waiting. In my mind, my priority is to get ready for next season. I’m not thinking about coming back this season.
“I needed mental and physical rest. It was my priority when the NHL went on pause. I’m still very active, though. I ride the stationary bike, but I’m not lifting any big weights. I’m taking care of myself, both mentally and physically.”
Danault has improved each season since being acquired by the Canadiens from the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2016.
“I always had a really good work ethic,” he said. “That’s how I made my life in hockey, with my work ethic, defensively and offensively. That definitely helps with the fans, playing in Montreal. It gave me the extra desire to perform and to win when you play at the Bell Centre in front of them — especially because I’m from here.”
Danault has one season remaining on his contract, which carries a salary cap hit of $3.083 million. He and linemates Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar are all heading into the final year of their contracts, but Danault said this isn’t the time to be thinking about an extension.
Meanwhile, the suspended season has given Danault time to spend with his wife and their 14-monthold son, Phillip-édouard.
“It’s time that I didn’t have during the season,” he said. “Shortly after he was born, I left for 16 straight days (on a road trip). We spent the summer together, but he wasn’t doing much.
“This year, he started to walk. I’m really happy I was there for his first steps. Those are memorable moments, even with everything going on right now.”