As we are approaching the start of the 2025-26 National Hockey League season, there is a storyline developing in Anaheim. That is because the Ducks have not been able to come to terms on a long-term contract with restricted free agent center Mason McTavish. In almost every report you read, three teams keep coming up as possible organizations that could acquire McTavish in the next couple of months. Find out why the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, and Carolina Hurricanes are among the frontrunners to trade for the Ducks forward if they can’t agree on terms for new a deal.
McTavish’s Background
The native of Zurich, Switzerland was raised in Pembroke, Ontario. Mason’s father Dale played nine games with the Calgary Flames in the 1996-97 season. Mason was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He was selected only behind Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power of Mississauga, Ontario, and Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers of Hingham, Massachusetts.
When drafted, McTavish was expected to be a top six forward with grit and power for years to come in Disneyland. However, for some reason Patrick Morris of Newport Sports Management (agent for McTavish) has not had productive negotiations with Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek.
McTavish’s 2024-25 NHL Statistics
In 76 games this season, McTavish had 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points. He had 38 penalty minutes, 12 power-play points, two game-winning goals, 180 shots on goal, 487 faceoff wins, 31 blocked shots, 70 hits, 18 takeaways, and 51 giveaways.
McTavish’s first game-winning goal came at the 59 second mark of overtime in a 5-4 Ducks win over the New York Rangers on March 28. Defenseman Jackson LaCombe of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and left winger Cutter Gauthier of Skelleftea, Sweden had the assists. McTavish’s second game-winning goal came on April 7 in a 3-2 Ducks win over the Edmonton Oilers on April 7. McTavish put the Ducks up 3-1 at 5:33 of the third period. Trevor Zegras of Bedford, New York had the lone assist.
Canadiens Need A Centre
Montreal has been looking for a centre since losing Christian Dvorak of Palos Township, Illinois in free agency to the Philadelphia Flyers. Right now the Canadiens will have either Kirby Dach or Joe Veleno as their second line centre, and McTavish would be a huge upgrade compared to Dvorak, Dach or Veleno.
Hurricanes need more offense
Carolina has a great first line in Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov. They could add another forward to their second line mix. Right now Seth Jarvis is slated as a second line centre, but he is better suited as a winger. The addition of a player of McTavish’s caliber could help propel Carolina to the next level.
Red Wings Would Love McTavish
Detroit currently has Austrian Marco Kasper as a second line center. He had 37 points last year, but McTavish is simply better. The Red Wings may have an advantage with the Hurricanes and Canadiens in negotiations because Verbeek played with Red Wings executive vice-president and general manager Steve Yzerman. A deal for McTavish would give Detroit the kind of top-six depth needed to get back into the NHL Playoffs.
Update: The Ducks signed McTavish on September 27 to a six year contract worth $42 million.
