You are over focussing about the $5+ mill 3rd line centre. The main goal of the Habs is to win a Stanley Cup and the real question would be : is Habs can afford being worse at the 3rd line center or they can't?
You and others seems to beleive Danault is replacable by any center because what he does can be replaced by Evans. I doubt it. Let's say Evans is 3rd center, who is 4th center? There is no answer, there is nobody. If you say you get the 3rd center by trade then it's a pure guess, we don't have a single clue if the new center will have chemistry, will have the same face off winning percentage, etc.
The season is long and exaustive. Some of our player are young at center position and not that big and strong. You like him or you hate him but as a fact Danault have some size, strength and endurance. He brings stability in a sport where injuries happens very fast. He plays a key spot position. I don't care about the 5 to 5,5M $ salary negociation. I am a CH fan, not an accountant.
I question what is the motivation of Danault haters here? And the same question for Drouin?
Because we can count the pages of debate and figure out there is something bizarre and irrationnal.
Racism?
As i said above, if Habs trade Danault , and then Suzuki is injured , suddenly KK is the #1 center and Evans the 2nd of the team; great ! KK looks good right now on the stats sheet, but his linemate has scored 9 goals . He won't put goals at that rate all season long.
Habs aren't build around 2-3 stars players. The team is constructed on depth, and balance of the 4 lines. If Bergevin moves Danault, he just destructs his team first strength.
and for the last part of your message, i disagree. Fans always have been very positive and receptive about Danault, Drouin, Hudon, Ouellet, Desharnais, Dandenault , Bouillon, Pouliot, Ribeiero , Dagenais , Latendresse, Brisebois, etc...