Anaheim Ducks

Mason McTavish Emerging as Offseason Trade Prize Amid Rising Bidding War

There are a couple of teams now circling a Mason McTavish trade and the Otttawa Senators may be the new frontrunners.

by
NHL Trade Talk
June 23, 2026

Trade chatter surrounding Mason McTavish is intensifying, and all signs point to the Anaheim Ducks forward at the center of a potential offseason bidding war.

According to multiple reports, a “fresh start” for McTavish is increasingly likely as teams continue to call Anaheim to gauge his availability. While the Ducks are not believed to be actively shopping the 22-year-old, interest has clearly risen since the trade deadline, when his name quietly surfaced in discussions. Now, with the Brady Tkachuk deal and with the Senators sitting on a handful of first-round picks, McTavish is suddenly a popular name again.

👀 Per sources another name getting plenty of attention is F McTavish of the @AnaheimDucks , he has skill, grit, term & upside. Teams are calling, it would have to be a quality “Hockey Trade” I’m told. See how this goes … #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/rNygpWVXlp
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 17, 2026

The Senators appear to be among the most aggressive suitors. Ottawa now holds the No. 9 and No. 25 overall picks—assets that could appeal to a Ducks team still building toward long-term contention and needing the cap space to pay Leo Carlsson and Gutter Gauthier. They don’t want to take salary back, so picks are the way to go. It’s believed the Senators are preparing to ramp up efforts to add an impact player since they weren’t able to pluck Anton Lundell from the Panthers in the Tkachuk trade.

The Senators aren’t the only team kicking tires on this.

The Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers are also believed to be in the mix, with both teams exploring whether McTavish fits their long-term plans. Montreal, in particular, is said to be evaluating how his playing style aligns with their system. They would like to add a second-line center. Is he their guy?

McTavish Could Be Moved in the Next Couple of Days

McTavish remains an intriguing trade target. He brings a combination of skill, physicality, and offensive upside, highlighted by a powerful shot and strong puck control. However, questions about his defensive consistency and skating speed persist, leaving some uncertainty about his ceiling. The Ducks chose to sit him out a couple of times, which suggests he’s got unlimited potential, but his lows are concerning.

With multiple teams circling and the Ducks being particular about what they’re willing to trade him for, this situation has the potential to become a two or three-team battle. Who is willing to pay the highest price? And for teams that don’t go there, what is their backup plan?

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Canucks & Senators New Plan