Phil Danault is falling apart, both on the ice and publicly.
Once again, Phil Danault continues to refuse to speak to the media after defeats, even in the most scathing setbacks for his team.
Last night, during the crushing 6-1 defeat against the Kings, Danault once again chose not to appear in front of the journalists. Even when there was a “media availability” planned for him, Danault preferred to remain in the shadows.
Danault only agrees to speak on game day mornings or during practices. Since the start of the series, he continues to ignore the journalists who wait for him after the matches, or to put it mildly, after the humiliating defeats.
This attitude contrasts with that of his teammates who do not shy away from media responsibilities. But Danault seems to rather avoid the spotlight, which can be seen as a lack of courage.
When he agrees to speak before matches or during practices, we can clearly see that his morale is down. When a reporter asked him how he felt about this near-impossible job of stopping Connor McDavid, Danault responded right away that it wasn’t fair to him or his trio to stop him.
Maybe Danault feels humiliated by his performance against Connor McDavid. He was supposed to be his team’s hidden card, but he seemed to crumble under pressure, often finding himself in the shadow of the league’s big names.
This series of successive humiliations may have undermined his confidence and affected his pride to the point where he prefers to withdraw from the critical gaze of the media.
The problem with Danault seems to be that he has always claimed the role of second center, but is failing to live up to the expectations that come with that status in the most important moment of the year.
His refusal to face the media after defeats can be interpreted as an escape from his own failures. It is an attitude that does not correspond to his usually determined character.
Easy to talk to in the morning before games. What’s difficult is facing the press when you’ve just been washed.
It is necessary for Danault to face this situation and show that he is capable of overcoming obstacles, both on the ice and in front of journalists’ microphones.
Only by showing courage and resilience can he regain the respect and trust of his team and fans. And above all, regain your own confidence, because at the moment, we no longer recognize it.
He is as white as a sheet, he no longer smiles, he has shifty eyes, he does not take responsibility and wants to tell everyone that he is not the only one guilty.
Connor McDavid and his gang are truly giving him a public nightmare. Phil Danault is collapsing sportingly and in the media.
He must get up. Otherwise, his legacy will be affected forever. When you proclaim yourself to be one of the best defensive players in this league, to the point of complaining about not being nominated for the Selke Trophy, you have to own your words and your thoughts on the ice…and in front of the cameras.
Phil Danault must raise his head…before it is too late…
