There’s a storm brewing in the NHL rumor mill, and at the center of it all is Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish—a name that has set off a frenzy of speculation across the league.

As contract talks with the Ducks stall, whispers about McTavish’s future have only intensified, with several teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, reportedly circling like sharks.

But just how realistic is a blockbuster move to Montreal, and what would Kent Hughes have to give up to make it happen?

The Canadiens are searching for a true second-line center to solidify their lineup, and McTavish seems to fit the bill perfectly.

However, the price tag being floated by league insiders is enough to make even the most ambitious general manager pause.

With rival teams like the Hurricanes and Red Wings also in the mix, the stakes have never been higher—and the cost could be staggering.

Behind the scenes, negotiations are tense, and every move is being watched closely by fans and executives alike. Could Montreal really pull off a franchise-altering trade, or will the price prove too steep?

The answer could reshape the future of the Canadiens, and the details emerging from the rumor mill are more dramatic than you might expect.

Jan 12, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The name of Mason McTavish continues to fuel rumors, and as we know, he would probably be the perfect second-line center for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Anaheim Ducks forward is still not under contract, and the team’s general manager, Pat Verbeek, doesn’t seem in a hurry to reach an agreement.

Thus, a major development has just been brought forward by a well-known insider.

According to Jimmy Murphy of RG Media, there are three teams to closely watch in this case: the Carolina Hurricanes, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Montreal Canadiens.

However, the journalist also stated that Verbeek’s priority would be to keep his center unless he receives an offer that cannot be refused.

The price to acquire Mason McTavish would be David Reinbacher, for the Montreal Canadiens

He also mentioned that the baseline price would be a young right-handed defenseman with the potential to play on a top pair.

“For the Red Wings, it would be young Axel Sandin-Pellikka, while the Canadiens would have to sacrifice David Reinbacher.” – HABSolumentFan

“I think that’s a huge piece of it, yes,” the agent told RG recently. “When you go to your owner and you say, ‘Hey, I want to do this, and I think if I load it up front with signing bonuses, and let’s double what I think they’re willing to offer,’ I think that’s a ballsy thing for the GM to say to his owner because if that cap space like Anaheim has exists, then the owner’s going to say ‘OK, well then you better be sure they’re not going to just laugh and match it because if they match it, then we look like complete idiots and all we did was just increase the market for no reason.’- Jimmy Murphy

We’re talking here about two very promising defensemen, but the question is whether Kent Hughes would be willing to let go of his 2023 first-round pick.

This will be a very interesting case to follow in the coming weeks.

Mason McTavish, 22 years old, is a complete center at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds who was drafted 3rd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2021 (first round).

He has 140 points in 229 career NHL games, including 60 goals, and he recorded 52 points in 76 games in 2024-2025, playing on a third line with little power-play time.