The Detroit Red Wings were quick to lock up all of the club’s restricted free agents into new contracts. Forwards Elmer Soderblom and Jonatan Berggren, and defenseman Albert Johansson all put ink to new deals early into the offseason.

The Anaheim Ducks can’t say the same, and there’s speculation around the league that this scenario could be creating an opportunity for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. Anaheim center Mason McTavish, the third player chosen in the 2021 NHL entry draft, is a restricted free agent. Word in NHL circles is that the two sides are far apart in negotiations.

MASON MCTAVISH WITH THE GOLD MEDAL SAVING SAVE! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/g8L8aZYbk0

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) August 21, 2022

That being the case, some NHL teams are calling Ducks GM Pat Verbeek to check on McTavish’s availability. This list includes the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens.

According to an NHL source who spoke to the website rg.org, the most persistent pursuer in this instance has been the Red Wings.

Connection Between Red Wings Yzerman And Verbeek

“Obviously, there’s history with Pat Verbeek and Steve Yzerman, and I really think Steve sees McTavish as a player who would completely change the dynamic of the team at center,” a source, termed as a league official, told rg.org.

Yzerman and Verbeek were teammates with the Red Wings. Later, Yzerman took Verbeek with him to be the assistant GM in Tampa Bay, and brought him to Detroit to fill the same role. Verbeek left the Red Wings in February 2022 to become GM of the Ducks.

They’ve already made a couple of trades over the years. Last season, the Red Wings sent goalie Ville Husso to Anaheim. This summer, the teams exchanged goalies. Detroit got John Gibson, while the Ducks received Petr Mrazek.

Would You Trade Sandin Pellika For McTavish?

McTavish, 22, scored a career-high 22 goals and 52 points last season. His plus-minus improved from -23 to even.

The NHL source believes that Verbeek’s first choice is to keep McTavish on a new contract.

“I think there’s a better chance now that the Ducks will keep him, but teams are still trying to get him and figuring out where it’s going,” the league official said. “It’s still kind of circling around.”

Just when you thought the offseason was quiet… The latest Mason McTavish rumors have him linked to the Detroit Red Wings!#LGRW #Flytogether #nhl #nhltraderumorshttps://t.co/lKOfm9QqB2

— NHL Trade Rumors (@nhltraderumours) August 9, 2025

If Verbeek doesn’t see a resolution in contract negotiations with McTavish, he’s going to want a significant return in any deal. The proverbial offer he can’t refuse.

“Unless you’re prepared to get creative and knock Pat off his chair with a monster offer, I don’t see (a trade happening),” the source said. “A top-four right defenseman with number-one potential would be a start.

“I don’t think the Wings are going to let Moritz Seider go. So we’re talking about Axel Sandin Pellikka.”