When a respected insider like Ben Kuzma drops a nugget connecting the Vancouver Canucks to a player like Mason McTavish, you have to stand up and take notice. The rumors are growing: if the Anaheim Ducks can’t lock down their star young center, the Canucks could be at the front of the line. And let’s be clear, McTavish is exactly the kind of player championship teams are built around—young, physical, skilled, and possessing that clutch gene that makes him a potential playoff beast.
But before Canucks fans start mocking up jersey swaps, let’s inject a dose of reality into these Mason McTavish rumors. The reason his name is even in circulation is due to a contract standoff. As a restricted free agent (RFA) without arbitration rights, McTavish and his camp are in a staring contest with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek. This isn’t just chatter; it’s a high-stakes negotiation that could define the future for both franchises. The longer this impasse continues, the more desperate other teams will get, and Vancouver’s interest is completely logical. But is it realistic? That’s the million-dollar question—or in this case, the $7-to-$8-million-dollar question.
What’s Fueling the Mason McTavish Trade Rumors?
The heart of the matter is money and leverage. AFP Analytics projects a fair deal for McTavish would be a six-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of around $6.67 million. However, Kuzma reports his camp is aiming higher, seeking a deal between $7 million and $8 million per season. This is where “Pistol Pat” Verbeek comes in. Known as one of the league’s toughest negotiators—just ask Trevor Zegras about his own contentious RFA experience last year—Verbeek isn’t one to blink. He’s publicly warned rival GMs that he will match any offer sheet sent McTavish’s way, a clear power play to deter suitors.
My take? Verbeek is playing this perfectly from a GM’s perspective. He holds all the cards. By threatening to match any offer sheet, he’s effectively neutralizing that threat and forcing McTavish’s camp to negotiate directly with him. The trade chatter is a byproduct of this stalemate. While the price Kuzma outlines—a roster player, a top prospect, and two high picks—is steep, it’s the kind of price a team would pay for a 22-year-old potential first-line center. This situation likely drags into late summer, but I wouldn’t bet on Verbeek caving. A trade remains a long shot, but the longer McTavish remains unsigned, the more teams like the Canucks will be circling, hoping Verbeek’s iron will finally bend.
Get the Latest Canucks News and Hockey Updates
Stay on top of all the breaking news and analysis surrounding the Vancouver Canucks right here. Whether you’re looking for the latest NHL trade rumors, searching for an Online Hockey Pool with cash prizes, or just need to know how to watch the Canucks game on TV today, we have you covered. Make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletter below for exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
The post Mason McTavish Rumors: Could a Contract Impasse Send Him to the Canucks? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
