When a name like Mason McTavish hits the trade rumor mill, you listen. And when the team he’s linked to is the Montreal Canadiens, you lean in a little closer. The latest chatter, courtesy of Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff, suggests there’s some discontent in sunny California. The word is that McTavish, the former 3rd overall pick and a cornerstone of the Ducks’ future, may be looking for a change of scenery. This isn’t just your typical off-season speculation; this one has legs. The Canadiens are desperate for a legitimate 2C to slot in behind Nick Suzuki, and McTavish fits that bill perfectly—he’s big, skilled, and has that prototypical Canadian power forward grit.
So, why the sudden unrest? Sources point to a couple of potential factors. First, the perpetual state of the rebuild in Anaheim. Losing takes a toll on any competitor. Second, and perhaps more importantly, is the psychological impact of seeing his close friend and fellow franchise cornerstone, Trevor Zegras, shipped off to Philadelphia. Does McTavish look around that locker room and wonder if he’s next, or if the path to winning is longer than he signed up for? It’s a fair question, and one Kent Hughes is undoubtedly hoping the answer to is “yes.”
What a Realistic McTavish Trade to Montreal Actually Looks Like
Now for the billion-dollar question: what does it cost? Let’s be clear, Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek isn’t running a charity. He’s trying to build a contender this season and won’t part with McTavish for a handful of magic beans. While the Canadiens have one of the deepest prospect pools in the league, particularly on defense, the Ducks will demand a young, impactful roster player in return.
The names that immediately come to Anaheim’s mind would be Juraj Slafkovsky or Ivan Demidov. From Montreal’s perspective, that’s a non-starter. You don’t trade a potential superstar for another one; you add to them. A more realistic framework would have to be built around a top defensive prospect like David Reinbacher, a 2025 first-round pick, and another promising young forward. Even then, Verbeek might balk.
The Verdict on the McTavish Rumors: Smoke or Fire?
From my perspective, while the logic for a trade is sound on Montreal’s end, the most probable outcome is still an extension for McTavish in Anaheim before training camp. He’s a restricted free agent, giving the Ducks all the leverage. However, this smoke shouldn’t be ignored. It signals a potential fracture in the Ducks’ young core and puts the league on notice.
If contract talks stall or the team stumbles out of the gate, these Mason McTavish rumors will reignite in a hurry. For now, it’s a fascinating situation to watch, but Habs fans shouldn’t be printing a #12 McTavish jersey just yet.
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The post Mason McTavish to the Canadiens? Deconstructing the new Habs rumor appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
