The NHL out of season never succeeds in supplying its fair share of the rumor mill material, and one name that continues to pop up in the Circles of Montreal Canadiens is that of Anaheim Ducks Center Mason Mctavish. Although there has been no solid confirmation of commercial interviews, and although logic dictates that it is extremely unlikely, the Whispers have not completely disappeared. That alone makes it worthwhile to view the player, the situation and the hypothetical scenario of what would actually be for the Canadiens to land a player like Mctavish.
The player
Mctavish is exactly the type of player that would fit with the Canadiens. Selected Third General in the NHL input of 2021The 22-year-old center is a rare mix of skill, size and intensity. On 6-foot-1, 219 pounds, MCTavish plays a tough match with a scoring touch, a combination that makes him a nightmare to defend when he is at his game.
Last season he placed 52 points in 76 games for a weak Ducks team, and that came during the recording of heavy matchups and defensive responsibilities. He plays the game with adulthood that is much further than his years and has already become a leader in the dressing room of Anaheim.
Before he arrived in the NHL, MCTavish was a striking one in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), with the world juniors, and even had a stint in Switzerland during the pandemic. He was a broken team Canada to a gold medal on the World Juniors from 2022.
Mctavish is exactly the type of young, two-way, high-ceiling center that still miss the Canadiens in their line-up. He could be the long-term answer behind Nick Suzuki, a perfect 1-2 punch in the middle.
Do not happen
Now for the reality check. There are no indication that the ducks want to exchange McTavish. He did not ask for a profession. Anaheim has indicated no form of internal decoupling. Mctavish is looking for a contract and the ducks are not yet ready to fully commit himself to him. After signing Mikael Granlund And with Leo Carlsson for him, it’s just normal that rumors start to drive around.
When teams rebuild, they do not exchange a 22-year-old, top-three choices that already produce in the NHL, unless something goes wrong behind the scenes, and there has been no evidence of this.
Some have speculated that Anaheim could eventually choose between Carlsson and Mctavish as their long -term 1C, but it is much more likely that they just keep both and enjoy one of the best young center duos in the competition.
What is needed for Montreal?
Let’s entertain the hypothetical. If general manager (GM) knows, Hughes would seriously ask about MCTAVish, the asking price would be huge and rightly so. Anaheim does not have to move him unless they get something that shakes their franchise in exchange.
Here are a few package ideas that can get the attention of Duck GM Pat Verbek, and even then they would probably think long and hard:
David Reinbacher + 2026 1st round pick
David Reinbacher is a best-pairing-caliber right-shot defender. The pick of the first round gives Anaheim a topactive. On the other hand, that is a pick in the first round and a franchise blueler. It may seem steep, but that is the starting point for a 22-year-old center with the MCTavish family tree. Anaheim also has a deep prospect pool on the blue line and could refuse that offer.
Related: The prospect of Canadiens David Reinbacher starts a crucial season in his development path
Michael Hage + 2026 1st round pick + 2nd round pick
Michael Hage would give Anaheim another future center that could be ready when Granlund’s contract ends. They would also get choices and some future assets. Montreal would give up a lot here. Hage is by far the best prospect of the team on attack and Montreal would not have a first Or the second next season after giving up both 2025 first round picks.
A fit that makes sense
It is easy to understand why HABS fans are intrigued. The largest organizational gap in Montreal is a second -line center, especially one with size and skills. Kirby roof Could that role fulfill if they are healthy, but there is still uncertainty. Mctavish would immediately fill that gap and take pressure from Suzuki, allowing Alex Newhook, Dach or others to be inserted into more natural roles.
The Canadiens have built a solid young core in the defense and added elite for views such as Ivan Demidov, Jacob Fowler and Hage. Adding a center point like McTavish in the middle would accelerate their return to position.
But timing and logic work against the deal. Anaheim is located in a similar rebuilding phase, and unless they see something in the Montreal range that meets multiple needs, there is little reason to renounce Mctavish.
Rumors are part of the pleasure in the silly season of hockey, but the McTavish chatter is exactly that, chatter. That said, the Canadiens have the assets to at least make a compelling offer if the situation ever changes. Hughes is aggressive and calculated in the past; He landed Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc this summer, and if McTavish was ever really available, Montreal would almost certainly make a push.
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