The Montreal Canadiens have spent the offseason actively seeking to strengthen their roster. Despite making only one trade, trade rumors persist, with Anaheim Ducks’ restricted free agent (RFA) center Mason McTavish consistently linked to the team.
The Ducks’ second-line center has been linked to the Canadiens since the offseason started, and many thought Montreal would soon sign him. But an insider believes there’s no chance of this signing happening.
Insider Believes That Mason McTavish Won’t Be Joining Montreal
When Mason McTavish turned RFA at the end of this past season, many thought the Canadiens would be going after him. But since then, the Canadiens have made no moves other than signing Zach Bolduc early this summer.
On the recent episode of the “Shaun Starr Show,” host Shaun Starr was joined by NHL insider Marco D’Amico, who made it clear that this move wouldn’t be happening. He mentioned that the only thing that would grab Anaheim’s attention is a top-tier D-man.
D’Amico continues with, “The Canadiens have one in Noah Dobson. That’s not moving. The Canadiens kinda have one in the projection mold in David Reinbacher.” D’Amico mentions that the Canadiens have two perfect pieces in Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux on the right.
And they aren’t going to spend one summer trading both of them just after they traded for Noah Dobson. D’Amico mentions, “I think when you look at Stanley Cup-winning teams, they always have a locked-down, immovable top four that just eats up those minutes.”
He says these top four play at least 50 minutes, if not more. And the Canadiens are also built like that. He mentions, “I think Dobson playing with [Kaiden] Guhle makes sense. I think, eventually, [Lane] Hutson playing with David Reinbacher makes sense.”
D’Amico believes that the top four are locked in, while Alec Carrier could be extended, and a bottom pair right shot can be traded. And the Canadiens aren’t looking to change that. He mentions that while the bottom pair can be interchanged, the top ideally shouldn’t.
He continues, “And if that’s the vision, I don’t necessarily see the Canadiens trying to fill one hole by exposing themselves on the other.” He believes that Montreal is in the same position right now. While they need some muscle in the top, it would expose them more than help them.
With the Canadiens’ current playoff woes, a strong defense is more important than an offense-heavy front. D’Amico added, “They’re in a situation where they want something to happen for them to pounce.”
According to D’Amico, nothing would happen for McTavish just yet, and even if it happened, it would need some tough choices given the Ducks’ demands and Montreal’s finances.