The 28-year-old forward was an unrestricted free agent. He scored 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 53 regular-season games with the Montreal Canadiens last season, and four points (one goal, three assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games helping the Canadiens reach the Cup Final.
"So many words in my mind right now and so many feelings being a King," Danault said. "Something I never expected, going to [be a] free agent. Everything happened so quick; I went to the Final with Montreal, been there for five or six years, was a big part of the team, and, just like that, move on to the Kings.
"I want to be a big part of their team as well. I really like the love the L.A. Kings showed me. The way they were talking about me was high and they believed in me. ... So it's definitely a lot of emotion, but I'm really happy."
Danault said he is looking forward to possibly being the No. 2 center and taking some of the defensive responsibility off No. 1 center Anze Kopitar.
"My two-way game has been always my strongest asset," Danault said. "Obviously trying to deny some goals while also score some. Good passing as well. But it's great to be behind a guy like Anze Kopitar. He's been a Selke winner (voted as top defensive forward in the NHL) ... so it's a really good model for me. Obviously, can release a little bit of pressure off his shoulders in checking some big lines and big players every night so he can focus more on his skill asset, offense. But very proud to be there."
Selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 26 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, Danault has scored 199 points (55 goals, 144 assists) in 392 regular-season games with the Blackhawks and Canadiens and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 38 playoff games.
The Kings also signed defenseman Alexander Edler to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. The 35-year-old was an unrestricted free agent. He had eight assists in 52 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season and was fourth in the NHL with 118 blocked shots.
Edler played his 15 NHL seasons with Vancouver, which selected him in the third round (No. 91) of the 2004 NHL Draft. He scored 409 points (99 goals, 310 assists) in 925 regular-season games and 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 82 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
NHL.com independent correspondent Dan Greenspan contributed to this report
