The Czechia website’s report that the Detroit Red Wings are pursuing a trade for restricted free agent center Mason McTavish seems plausible.

The Red Wings have been looking for another scorer to play in the top six and McTavish is a 220-pound complete player who scored 22 goals last season. Think Ryan O’Reilly. McTavish could be a nice fit between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. That would allow Marco Kasper to play on the first line with Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin.

Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek and Detroit GM Steve Yzerman are close friends. Verbeek worked for Yzerman in both Tampa and Detroit. That doesn’t mean Verbeek will give Yzerman special consideration, but it does mean they have the kind of relationship that helps negotiations move along.  The Red Wings have the cap space ($12 million) to sign McTavish if they can negotiate a deal.

AFP Analytics projects McTavish coming in just under $4 million AAV and $6.7 million on a long-term deal, but we’re hearing McTavish wants more than those numbers. That’s the issue.

Of course, the Ducks have more cap space than any other NHL team, and they have not been able to sign McTavish. Yzerman and Verbeek are similar in their approaches. That probably means that Yzerman wouldn’t like McTavish’s ask either.

But the bigger issue is that the Ducks don’t want to give up McTavish. It seems likely they eventually will get him signed. And if they don’t, their asking price will leave some Detroit fans squeamish. The Chechia report says it is Axel Sandin Pellikka.  McTavish is worth an exceptional return, but it would be hard to squeeze that trigger.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Mark Pysyk wonders how it could have been different if he hadn’t suffered the Achilles injury after signing with Detroit.

Jakub Vrana finally signs a deal to play for Linköping in the Swedish Hockey League.

Fun video of Patrick Kane’s son, Patrick III, battling with Alex DeBrincat’s son, Archie, on Patrick Kane Day in Chicago.

Red Wings Extra

Michigan native David Booth, who last played in the NHL with the Red Wings in 2017-18, is playing in the Australian League at age 40. In 11 games this season, Booth has 25 goals and 50 points. 

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Aarif Deen writes about three issues in the way of the Avalanche making another Stanley Cup run. Colorado Avalanche.

Florida: The partying is completed, and the Panthers seem ready to get back to the business of a three-peat. Florida Panthers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes about the five most overrated Penguins in the Sidney Crosby Era. Pittsburgh Penguins.