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Former Canadien Phillip Danault surprises Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield – Montreal Gazette

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Has a pizza delivered to them while they were guests Monday night on Julie Snyder’s television show.

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Phillip Danault hasn’t forgotten his old Canadiens teammates.

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New Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were guests Monday night on Julie Snyder’s TV show, La Semaine des 4 Julie.

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Danault, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent last summer, recorded a video for Suzuki and Caufield that was played during the show.

“Boys, I want to wish you good luck this year and I’ll see you on the ice,” Danault said. “Until then, I got something delivered for you. Enjoy.”

A pizza was then delivered to the two Canadiens players on stage with Suzuki wearing the “C” on his new Canadiens sweater. Suzuki was named the 31st captain in franchise history earlier in the day at the Canadiens’ golf tournament at Laval-sur-le-Lac. At 23, Suzuki also becomes the youngest captain in Canadiens history.

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Danault played six seasons with the Canadiens, but couldn’t agree on a new contract with former GM Marc Bergevin and decided to leave for Los Angeles as a free agent last summer, signing a six-year, US$33-million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.5 million. Danault played a key role the previous season in helping the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup final before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After each playoff series victory before reaching the Stanley Cup final, Danault would celebrate by eating a slice of pizza while doing post-game interviews.

The 29-year-old Danault had a career year last season with the Kings, posting 27-24-51 totals in 79 games, posting career highs in goals and points. He was also plus-14 and won 53.6 per cent of his faceoffs while averaging 18:08 of ice time per game.

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During his final season with the Canadiens, Danault was upset that details of a six-year, US$30-million contract offer that Bergevin had given him were leaked to the media. Danault struggled that season with 5-19-24 totals in 53 regular-season games, but found his game in the playoffs while shutting down the top centres on opposing teams.

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I think it affected me,” Danault said after the Stanley Cup final about his contract offer from Bergevin being leaked. “Even if you say it didn’t affect me … but it affected me because I wasn’t playing that good. I wasn’t playing my best hockey at that time at the start of the year.

With everything that was going on it was tough … it was tough mentally,” he added. “But you know what, I got way stronger mentally and I really believe that’s why I played that type of hockey in the playoffs. It got me stronger mentally.

Danault said his decision to turn down the original contract offer from the Canadiens was about more than just money. He never received another offer.

Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “It was all about the role. In playoffs, I said that my role was changed, but I was also scared a little bit that (Suzuki) and (Jesperi Kotkaniemi) were going to take more minutes. But I think we saw around the league that if you win you need three really good centres.

I found my game,” Danault added. “I know who I am, I know what I can give, I know what I can bring to a team and I know I can win.

The Kings will play the Canadiens twice this season — on Dec. 10 at the Bell Centre and on March 2 in Los Angeles.

scowan@postmedia.com

twitter.com/StuCowan1

  1. Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, left, shares a cart with general manager Kent Hughes at the team's annual golf tournament in Laval on Sept. 11, 2022.

    Stu Cowan: Three Amigos in driver’s seat as Canadiens rebuild

  2. Phillip Danault posted 5-19-24 totals in 53 regular-season games last season with the Canadiens.

    Kings sign Phillip Danault to six-year, US$33-million contract

  3. Nick Suzuki addresses reporters after being named the new captain of the Montreal Canadiens at the team's annual golf tournament in Laval, north of Montreal Monday September 12, 2022. He was joined by assistant captains Joel Edmundson, left and Brendan Gallagher.

    Stu Cowan: Canadiens made right choice in naming Nick Suzuki captain

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French league’s legal board orders PSG to pay Kylian Mbappé 55 million euros of unpaid wages

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The French league’s legal commission has ordered Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappé the 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages that he claims he’s entitled to, the league said Thursday.

The league confirmed the decision to The Associated Press without more details, a day after the France superstar rejected a mediation offer by the commission in his dispute with his former club.

PSG officials and Mbappé’s representatives met in Paris on Wednesday after Mbappé asked the commission to get involved. Mbappé joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer.

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Reggie Bush was at his LA-area home when 3 male suspects attempted to break in

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former football star Reggie Bush was at his Encino home Tuesday night when three male suspects attempted to break in, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

“Everyone is safe,” Bush said in a text message to the newspaper.

The Los Angeles Police Dept. told the Times that a resident of the house reported hearing a window break and broken glass was found outside. Police said nothing was stolen and that three male suspects dressed in black were seen leaving the scene.

Bush starred at Southern California and in the NFL. The former running back was reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner this year. He forfeited it in 2010 after USC was hit with sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers.

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B.C. Lions lean on versatile offence to continue win streak against Toronto Argonauts

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VANCOUVER – A fresh face has been gracing the B.C. Lions‘ highlight reels in recent weeks.

Midway through his second CFL campaign, wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt has contributed touchdowns in two consecutive games.

The 26-year-old wide receiver from Loveland, Colo., was the lone B.C. player to reel in a passing major in his team’s 37-23 victory over the league-leading Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The week before, he notched his first CFL touchdown in the Lions’ win over the Ottawa Redblacks.

“It’s been awesome. It’s been really good,” Eberhardt said of his recent play. “At the end of the day, the biggest stat to me is if we win. But who doesn’t love scoring?”

He’ll look to add to the tally Friday when the Leos (7-6) host the Toronto Argonauts.

Eberhardt signed with B.C. as a free agent in January 2023 and spent much of last season on the practice squad before cementing a role on the roster this year.

The six-foot-two, 195-pound University of Wyoming product has earned more opportunities in his second season, said Lions’ head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell.

“He’s a super hard worker and very smart. He understands, has high football IQ, as we call it,” Campbell said.

The fact that Eberhardt can play virtually every receiving position helps.

“He could literally go into a game and we could throw him into a spot and he’d know exactly what he’s doing,” the coach said. “That allows him to play fast and earn the quarterback’s trust. And you see him making plays.”

Eberhardt credited his teammates, coaches and the rest of the Lions’ staff with helping him prepare for any situation he might face. They’ve all spent time teaching him the ins and outs of the Canadian game, or go over the playbook and run routes after practice, he said.

“I’ve played every single position on our offence in a game in the last two years, which is kind of crazy. But I love playing football,” he said. “I want to play any position that the team needs me to play.”

While B.C.’s lineup is studded with stars like running back William Stanback — who has a CFL-high 938 rushing yards — and wide receiver Justin McInnis — who leads the league in both receiving yards (1,074) and receiving TDs (seven) — versatility has been a critical part of the team’s back-to-back wins.

“I think we’ve got a lot of talented guys who deserve to get the ball and make big plays when they have the ball in their hands. So it’s really my job to get them the ball as much as possible,” said quarterback Nathan Rourke.

“I think that makes it easy when you can lean on those guys and, really, we’re in a situation where anyone can have a big game. And I think that’s a good place to be.”

Even with a talented lineup, the Lions face a tough test against an eager Argos side.

Toronto lost its second straight game Saturday when it dropped a 41-27 decision to Ottawa.

“We’ll have our hands full,” Rourke said. “We’ll have to adjust on the fly to whatever their game plan is. And no doubt, they’ll be ready to go so we’ll have to be as well.”

The two sides have already met once this season when the Argos handed the Lions a 35-27 loss in Toronto back on June 9.

A win on Friday would vault B.C. to the top of the West Division standings, over the 7-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are on a bye week.

Collecting that victory isn’t assured, though, even with Toronto coming in on a two-game skid, Campbell said.

“They’ve hit a little bit of a rut, but they’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re very athletic. And you can really see (quarterback Chad Kelly’s) got zip on the ball. When you see him in there, he can make all the throws. So we’re expecting their best shot.”

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-6) AT B.C. LIONS (7-6)

Friday, B.C. Place

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Lions boast a 4-1 home record this season, including a 38-12 victory over the Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 31. The Argos have struggled outside of BMO Field and hold a 1-5 away record. Trips to the West Coast haven’t been easy for Toronto in recent years — since 2003, the club is 4-14 in road games against B.C.

CENTURION: B.C. defensive back Garry Peters is set to appear in his 100th consecutive game. The 32-year-old from Conyers, Ga., is a two-time CFL all-star who has amassed 381 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles and 16 interceptions over seven seasons. “Just being on the field with the guys every day, running around, talking trash back and forth, it keeps me young,” Peters said. “It makes me feel good, and my body doesn’t really feel it. I’ve been blessed to be able to play 100 straight.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

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