Contract negotiations in the NHL can drag on for months, but when a 22-year-old coming off a 52-point season remains unsigned, teams around the league start circling. Mason McTavish finds himself in exactly that position with the Anaheim Ducks, and while trade rumors swirl, one insider just delivered crushing news to Vancouver Canucks fans who hoped their team could land the talented forward.
Why Should the Vancouver Canucks Abandon Hopes of Landing Mason McTavish?
McTavish is fresh off a successful campaign with the Ducks. In 2024-25, the forward accumulated 52 points in 76 regular-season games, spending more than 16 minutes on ice per game. With his entry-level contract behind him, McTavish remains a restricted free agent with no current deal in place.
Although it is unlikely that the Ducks will trade him away, contract talks between the two parties have reportedly been quite challenging. The situation has caught the attention of teams across the league, with the Canucks frequently mentioned as a potential suitor.
However, Elliotte Friedman has resoundingly dismissed any chances of Vancouver landing the forward. Friedman’s pronouncement represents a discouraging development for many who hoped the Canucks could make a move for McTavish.
The root of the problem lies with the Ducks’ general manager, Pat Verbeek, who has proven to be a difficult negotiator when dealing with young players fresh off their entry-level contracts. The deal could have been completed earlier, but there remains room for contention between the two parties on the nature of McTavish’s next contract. While Verbeek prefers a short-term deal, McTavish wants a longer contract.
RG Media’s Marco D’Amico appeared on “The Shaun Starr Show” to discuss the contract delay. “You haven’t seen Mason McTavish signed yet. Not because they are butting heads, just because one would prefer a short-term deal, the other side would prefer a long-term deal,” D’Amico explained. He further stated that there is little animosity between the team and McTavish, and the two may meet in the middle and proceed with a contract agreeable to both parties.
Despite the relatively cordial negotiations, the delay in contract talks has triggered much chatter across the league. Trade speculation has been adequate, and interested teams are eyeing the player. In the wake of such developments, McTavish has frequently been linked with several teams, including Vancouver.
But Friedman sees scant possibility of the Canucks landing the forward. Friedman appeared on the “Donnie and Dhali- The Team” podcast to give a realistic assessment of Vancouver’s chances of successfully acquiring McTavish, and it suffices to say that he appeared far from optimistic about such prospects.
According to the insider, the team simply does not have the resources to realize such a deal. “Do they have a really top-end prospect or pick that someone’s willing to take, or they’re willing to move, or both, in a deal,” Friedman questioned.
The reality is that a trade involving McTavish is not on the Ducks’ management’s current itinerary. Still, even if it were, Friedman believes it is unlikely for Vancouver to have been the foremost destination for the forward. “I think they want to sign him. For argument’s sake, if the Ducks did want to trade McTavish, do you think the Canucks have the haul to get them? It’s not even worth discussing,” Friedman stated bluntly.
All the tell-tale signs point toward McTavish’s prolonged stay in Anaheim. His contract talks are taking longer than desirable, but Verbeek has shown toughness when handing out long contracts to young players. There’s a precedent for extended negotiations with the Ducks: Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale’s contract discussions didn’t conclude until training camp, suggesting McTavish’s situation may follow a similar timeline.