The NHL landscape shifted dramatically this Saturday morning as trade breakers and historic performances dominated the headlines. The biggest shockwave comes out of Montreal, where a fan favorite is making an emotional return, while down south, the Dallas Stars are putting the rest of the league on notice with an offensive explosion.
Major Trade Alerts and Historic Milestones Highlight December 20 NHL Action
Danault Returns Home
In a move that has Canadiens fans buzzing, Phillip Danault has been traded back to the Montreal Canadiens from the Los Angeles Kings. The deal, completed late Friday night, sends a 2026 second-round pick back to L.A. Danault, who played a pivotal role in Montreal’s 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, brings veteran stability and elite defensive awareness back to a young Habs core. GM Kent Hughes confirmed Danault is expected to join the team in Boston next week.
Trade Radar: Marchment to Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets also made waves, acquiring forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken. In exchange, Seattle receives a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Marchment adds grit and scoring touch to the Blue Jackets’ lineup as they look to stay competitive in the Metropolitan Division.
Jason Robertson’s Historic 100-Point Year
On the ice, Jason Robertson continues to rewrite the Dallas Stars‘ history books. In an 8-3 drubbing of the Anaheim Ducks, Robertson tallied three points (2G, 1A), securing his third career 100-point calendar year. He joins legends like Mike Modano in franchise lore, proving he is undeniably one of the game’s elite superstars.
Leafs Shake Up Special Teams
In Toronto, the pressure is mounting. After a lackluster 0-for-5 power-play performance against the Capitals, head coach Craig Berube announced a shake-up of the Maple Leafs’ power-play units ahead of their clash with the Predators. With the team sitting near the bottom of the league in PP percentage, something had to give.
NHL Scores & Notes: December 19, 2025
Here is a recap of last night’s action, optimized for your mobile viewing:
- Dallas Stars 8 – 3 Anaheim Ducks
- Note: Jason Robertson explodes for 3 points; 14 different Stars players found the scoresheet in this offensive clinic.
- Florida Panthers 4 – 3 Carolina Hurricanes (SO)
- Note: The Panthers erased a 3-goal deficit in the third period! Brad Marchand started the rally, and Sam Reinhart tied it late before winning it in the shootout.
- Vancouver Canucks 4 – 1 New York Islanders
- Note: Kiefer Sherwood played the hero with a hat trick, leading Vancouver to their third straight victory.
- Colorado Avalanche 3 – 2 Winnipeg Jets
- Note: The Avs secure their 12th consecutive home win thanks to a clutch goal from Brent Burns and a solid performance from Nathan MacKinnon.
- New Jersey Devils 2 – 1 Utah Mammoth
- Note: Jacob Markstrom stood on his head, making 32 saves to steal a tight defensive battle in Utah.
Finding the Latest NHL News, Rumors, and Predictions
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on every trade breaker, injury update, and fantasy sleeper, you need a reliable source. For the most accurate and timely updates, including deep dives into the looming trade deadline and Fantasy Hockey Predictions, make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks. Don’t let your fantasy league rivals beat you to the waiver wire—sign up for our exclusive newsletter below.
The post The Prodigal Son Returns: Danault Back in Montreal & Robertson’s Historic Night appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
