The NHL offseason is always a breeding ground for wild speculation, blockbuster trade rumors, and the kind of whispers that can send shockwaves through fanbases.

But every so often, a rumor catches fire so quickly that it threatens to reshape the future of a franchise—and this summer, the Montreal Canadiens have found themselves at the center of a swirling storm.

With the names Mason McTavish and David Reinbacher floating through trade talks, fans and analysts alike have been glued to every update, wondering if the Canadiens’ front office might be on the verge of making a move that could redefine their rebuild.

But as insiders dig deeper and trusted voices begin to weigh in, the narrative takes a surprising turn—one that leaves more questions than answers. Is the Canadiens’ management truly considering shaking up their roster in such a dramatic way?

Or is there something else, hidden beneath the surface, that’s keeping this deal from ever seeing the light of day? As the tension builds and the rumors refuse to die, one journalist’s revelation sends a ripple through the hockey world, forcing everyone to rethink what they thought they knew.

What’s really happening behind closed doors in Montreal? Why is this trade rumor so persistent, and what does it mean for the future of two rising NHL stars? The answers may shock you.

Photo of David Reinbacher and Mason McTavish

Photo credit: NHL

Over the past few weeks, several observers have floated the idea of a trade involving Mason McTavish and David Reinbacher for the Canadiens.

Well, that trade suggested by some can clearly be forgotten.

Recently, journalist Marco D’Amico was asked whether he saw a trade involving McTavish and Reinbacher materializing, and his answer was quite clear.

The Montreal Canadiens do not want to trade David Reinbacher

Even though Mason McTavish literally represents everything the Montreal Canadiens would need to complete this rebuild, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton will not budge.

They believe in Reinbacher and they are not going to trade him.

This is consistent with what D’Amico has been repeating since the beginning of the summer.

Let’s also recall what David Pagnotta recently mentioned in this case.

So, we will still continue to monitor the McTavish file, but when you see observers or pages including David Reinbacher in such a trade scenario, forget it.

D’Amico is very well informed, and if he says he doesn’t see such a trade happening, then it clearly won’t.

Mason McTavish, 22 years old, is a complete center, standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 220 pounds, who was the 3rd overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2021 (first round).

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