The Anaheim Ducks are one of the best stories in the NHL this season, sitting atop the Pacific Division with a four-point cushion on the Edmonton Oilers.
The problem is that their most expensive forward isn’t really part of that story. Mason McTavish signed a six-year, $42 million extension last fall after a contract dispute that kept him out of most of training camp, and in his first season on that deal, he has 14 goals and 34 points in 67 games, which is well below the 52-point campaign he put together in 2024-25.
He was a healthy scratch twice last week for the first time in his career.
What Analysts Are Saying About McTavish’s Situation
Sicard didn’t slam the door on a trade, but he stopped well short of predicting one. “I think he still has a future,” Sicard said. “I don’t think we’re at the point yet of a guy getting traded, but who knows, I’ve been wrong about that before.”
The Ducks traded Trevor Zegras because they saw McTavish as their second-line center of the present and future. He hasn’t been that this season, and the frustrating part is that the team has succeeded anyway, which makes his role less essential than it was supposed to be.
Mason McTavish is back at it with his signature shootout move 👀 pic.twitter.com/bjiGlIZvmE
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2026
Elliotte Friedman has noted on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the relationship between McTavish and the organization is complicated, stemming directly from the prolonged contract negotiation.
Missing camp hurt him. A new coaching staff under Joel Quenneville hasn’t helped. His underlying numbers (a career-high 56 percent Corsi-For rating, an expected goals figure of 20.4 against just 13 actual goals) suggest he’s been unluckier than his stat line indicates.
But perception matters in this league, and right now the perception around McTavish in Anaheim isn’t great.
Which Teams Are Already Watching Mason McTavish?
Several.
The Minnesota Wild have been connected to McTavish as a realistic alternative to the Auston Matthews pursuit that Bill Guerin is reportedly exploring.
A 23-year-old center locked up at $7 million through 2031 with strong possession numbers fits exactly what Minnesota needs alongside their core.
The Montreal Canadiens are another name that makes sense, and Kent Hughes has openly said he tried to pull off a blockbuster at the deadline that didn’t get done, and McTavish slots naturally into their young group alongside Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Ivan Demidov.
Mason McTavish DOES IT AGAIN in the shootout and improves to 8 for 12 (66%) in his career 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/uq4S5NHqEI
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 17, 2026
The Toronto Maple Leafs have also been floated as a potential destination, where a McTavish and Auston Matthews pairing up the middle would give the retooling Leafs a genuinely exciting look at center.
The asking price won’t be cheap because the Ducks aren’t desperate and they don’t have to move him. But if the relationship doesn’t improve heading into next season, a fresh start could benefit everyone.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images