The Senators have emerged as a leading trade destination for Mason McTavish (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
According to an NHL source, the Ottawa Senators have emerged as a front-runner to acquire Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish.
“They were already talking to the Ducks before they traded Brady Tkachuk, and then they got [William] Eklund. Now, that’s picked up again,” the source told RG.
“There’s history between the player and GM Steve Staios, and obviously the player is familiar with the area, having played for the Ottawa Valley Titans way back. I know Staios likes McTavish a lot,” the source added.
Senators Believe McTavish Can Rebound
McTavish has been the subject of numerous NHL trade rumors dating to last summer. The Ducks selected the 23-year-old forward with the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, but he did not report to training camp last September because of a contract stalemate with general manager Pat Verbeek.
The team and McTavish eventually agreed to a six-year, $42 million contract with a $7 million average annual value.
However, McTavish and the Ducks did not see the on-ice improvement they had hoped for after the new deal. McTavish finished with 17 goals and 24 assists in 75 games, 11 points fewer than the previous season, when he recorded 22 goals and 30 assists in 76 games. As a result, he was a healthy scratch at times down the stretch and during the playoffs.
“Look, I don’t know what went wrong with McTavish in Anaheim, but I do know that Staios and the Senators think they can help him fulfill his potential and become the player so many believed he could be,” the source said.
Jordan Spence Could Be Part of Deal
As for what the Ducks could receive if the Senators acquire McTavish, another NHL source suggested restricted free agent defenceman Jordan Spence could be part of a potential deal.
Contract talks between the Senators and the 25-year-old right-shot defenceman are apparently not progressing, leading to trade speculation surrounding Spence, who is coming off a two-year, $3 million contract with a $1.5 million average annual value.
Ottawa’s efforts to strengthen its roster will also be closely watched by hockey betting sites, particularly if the Senators can add a former top-three pick such as McTavish without significantly weakening their current lineup.
Longtime Ottawa Citizen Senators beat writer and insider Bruce Garrioch recently reported that Staios has been gauging Spence’s value on the NHL trade market:
“Three league executives told the Ottawa Citizen in the past 72 hours that the club is gauging the NHL’s trade market to see what they might be able to fetch in return for Spence, who is a restricted free agent with the right to file for arbitration.”
Canadiens, Red Wings Also Interested
The Senators are not the only team interested in McTavish. The Sick Podcast Network recently reported that the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings have both made it clear to Verbeek that they are interested in acquiring him.
“They circled back and called on him,” a source told the Sick Podcast Network about the Canadiens. “I don’t think it’s at the point of serious discussions or exchanging trade scenarios, but the Habs let it be known they’re still interested.”
The trade speculation comes as Ottawa looks to strengthen a roster viewed as a potential Stanley Cup contender. According to 22Bet, the Florida Panthers are the 8.00 favorites, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche at 8.50. Ottawa is priced at 23.00, level with Montreal, while Anaheim sits at 26.00. The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers are both listed at 12.00, ahead of Tampa Bay at 13.00, Minnesota at 15.00 and Dallas at 17.00. Odds are subject to change.