Kings sign Danault to 6-year contract

The Los Angeles Kings signed forward Phillip Danault to a six-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $5.5 million, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Danault, 28, recently helped guide the Montreal Canadiens on a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final. Since arriving in Montreal in 2016, he's quickly transformed into one of the league's top defensive centers.

The Quebec native managed five goals and 19 assists in 53 games last season and added another four points during the team's lengthy playoff run. He also finished sixth in voting for the Selke Trophy this past season.

Danault was consistently tasked with shutting down opposing teams' top lines with the Canadiens. At five-on-five last season, he had a stellar 58.54 Corsi For rating and 57.56 expected goals for percentage.

In 392 career games, Danault has 55 goals and 144 assists.