Let’s be clear: the smoke surrounding Mason McTavish isn’t just campfire chatter; it’s a full-blown signal fire. Every GM in the league knows the Anaheim Ducks have the cap space to match any offer sheet for the burgeoning star center. That’s not the question. The real question is, do they have the will?
Word on the street is that a hostile offer starting with a “7” (at least $7.02 million AAV) could trigger some serious hesitation in the Ducks’ front office. After trading Trevor Zegras, losing McTavish seems unthinkable, but GM Pat Verbeek is a disciplined builder. An aggressive team could force his hand and bet on Anaheim’s reluctance to commit that kind of money ahead of schedule. This is where the fun begins, and several GMs are already lining up their chips for a potential blockbuster move.
Which Teams Are Circling the Waters for McTavish?
Three teams, in particular, keep coming up in my conversations. First, the Montreal Canadiens. Kent Hughes has the assets, the cap space, and a glaring need for a high-impact #2 center to slot in behind Nick Suzuki. McTavish’s size, grit, and skill are a perfect fit for the culture they’re building. Don’t be surprised if they make a serious play.
Then you have the Boston Bruins. The post-Bergeron/Krejci era has left a massive hole down the middle. While they have promising pieces, McTavish is a potential franchise cornerstone who could solve their center-ice problem for the next decade. For a team trying to keep its competitive window open, this is exactly the kind of bold, high-reward move Don Sweeney should be considering.
Finally, keep an eye on the Calgary Flames. Craig Conroy is in the middle of a re-tool and needs to inject elite young talent into his forward corps. Can you imagine McTavish’s 200-foot game and leadership qualities centering a line with Jonathan Huberdeau? It would instantly accelerate their timeline and give the fanbase a new star to rally behind.
My Take: Why the Ducks Are in a High-Stakes Poker Game
From my perspective, this is a calculated gamble against Anaheim’s philosophy. Pat Verbeek is building a big, tough, and structured team. While McTavish fits that mold perfectly, an expensive, long-term offer sheet disrupts the Ducks’ controlled rebuild. They don’t need the draft picks; their prospect pipeline is loaded. But they might value financial flexibility more than locking up McTavish at a premium right now.
A rival GM could exploit this by presenting an offer that is just rich enough to make Anaheim blink. The Ducks hold the cards, but a bold enough bet could force them to fold a hand they never intended to.
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The post 3 Teams Poised to Offer Sheet Mason McTavish: Will the Ducks Blink? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
