Mason McTavish’s name has hit the trade boards hard again this offseason, same as last summer. Only back then, he was an RFA in a contract dispute with the Anaheim Ducks. Now he’s a promising young center coming off a troubling year, but signed to a six-year, $7M AAV deal, with five seasons left to run. The return the Ducks can garner this time around should be substantial.
Calgary FlamesMontreal CanadiensOttawa SenatorsSt. Louis BluesWinnipeg Jets
There’s already been plenty of buzz with two of these teams being linked to interest in McTavish.
In Ottawa, insider Bruce Garrioch has been telling us for the past few weeks that
McTavish is a centre, but he could play the wing, or, as Garrioch suggests, “it could give head coach Travis Green the option of moving second-line pivot Dylan Cozens to the wing.”
The Habs have also been linked to McTavish. They are desperately seeking out a second-line center this offseason, and Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has reportedly contacted the Ducks to inquire about McTavish’s availability.
In Winnipeg, the Jets are also looking for a strong second-line center, as they look to really bolster their top-six. Jonathan Toews has retired, and although he didn’t produce much offensively in his one season in the ‘Peg, there’s another hole down the middle for the Jets to fill.
If McTavish were to find his way to Calgary, as Gould notes, it would “give McTavish the opportunity to grow alongside a core group of players in his age range.”
“McTavish would find himself thrust into high-leverage minutes…
“For both the player and the team, a deal could be the ideal catalyst to unlock the next level of production.”