Detroit’s NHL General Managers’ meeting has quickly become the epicenter of intrigue and speculation, with the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight.

The summer has already been rife with headlines involving Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, franchise legend Carey Price, and rising star Mason McTavish, but what’s unfolding in Detroit promises even more drama.

Behind closed doors, whispers of high-stakes negotiations and potential blockbuster moves have set the hockey world buzzing, especially as the Canadiens’ search for a reliable second-line center grows increasingly urgent.

While Nick Suzuki continues to anchor the top line, questions about depth and long-term stability remain unanswered, fueling rumors and strategic maneuvering among league executives.

The unresolved contract situation of Mason McTavish, a talented young center for the Anaheim Ducks, has become a focal point, drawing intense interest from Montreal and other contenders.

With the possibility of a major trade looming—and Carey Price’s contract hanging in the balance—the stakes could not be higher.

What exactly transpired in Detroit? Which names were truly at the heart of the discussions? And could these secret talks reshape the Canadiens’ future?

The answers remain tantalizingly out of reach, but one thing is certain: this story is far from over.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes and Mason McTavish

Photo credit: NHL

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, Carey Price, and Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish, have made a lot of headlines this summer.

And now as reported by the site DansLesCoulisses, they were at the heart of discussions during the NHL GM meeting in Detroit.

The issue of the second center continues to haunt the Montreal Canadiens’ plans as the season approaches.

While Nick Suzuki remains firmly established as the number one pivot, management would like to provide him with more consistent support on the second line. Kirby Dach has shown good things when healthy, but his injury history casts doubt on his long-term reliability.

In this context, Kent Hughes keeps his eyes open on the market, although he is not the only one scanning opportunities.

At the NHL General Managers’ meeting, currently taking place in Detroit, one name in particular keeps coming up in conversations: Mason McTavish. The 21-year-old forward, property of the Anaheim Ducks, still does not have a contract, and his situation is raising a lot of interest.

Considered a promising center, capable of playing significant minutes and with a good frame, McTavish represents exactly the type of profile sought by several teams, including Montreal.

The possibility of the Ducks failing to reach an agreement with their young player intrigues several GMs

Recall that McTavish was once again linked to the Canadiens this week by Sports Illustrated journalist Jacob Punturi.

Although it is still early to talk about a concrete trade, the mere fact that McTavish is at the center of rumors fuels speculation. For the Canadiens, such an acquisition would not only stabilize the hierarchy at center but also accelerate the rebuilding process by adding a piece already ready to contribute.

It remains to be seen whether Kent Hughes can get involved in this case and at what cost. One thing is certain: he will hardly be able to do so without trading Carey Price’s contract, another matter that is on everyone’s lips.

The market for a quality young center is always competitive, and Montreal is not alone in the race. Nevertheless, McTavish’s name perfectly illustrates the type of target that could help the Canadiens fill an important gap.

One thing is certain: as long as this question remains unresolved, the search for a second center will remain one of the main issues to watch for the Canadiens.