You'd love McTavish. I think he would thrive on the wing here. They still need to add a real number 1 center or very strong number 2 but McTavish, based on his age and play style, would make a great addition if acquired for picks and prospects, or Lohrei.
Perhaps.
But there is a reason, whatever it may be, that negotiations dragged on and on per his last contract.
More important, there is also a reason why Coach Q (who has his warts, as the old hockey phrase goes, but is, undeniably, an excellent coach and provrn winner) scratched McTavish in the regular season and, tellingly, in the playoffs.
This chap is one definition of the rather cavalier term en vogue among the NHL chattering class these days, "distressed asset."
Certainly he could flourish in new surroundings, yet the risk is real. Maybe it's worth the gamble. I don't know what Anaheim might seek in return.
Caveat emptor,
"Yes, Mason McTavish is considered to have underperformed with the Anaheim Ducks (note: the team is called the "Anaheim Ducks," not "Mighty Ducks"—the "Mighty Ducks" name was retired in 2006) during the 2025–26 season. He failed to improve on his previous year's 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists), finishing with just 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 49 games through mid-2026, and the Ducks are thought to have made him available for trade after this disappointing season �.
Why his contract negotiation dragged on
McTavish's contract holdout stemmed from his status as a restricted free agent (RFA) seeking a long-term extension rather than a bridge deal. The negotiations lasted months before he ultimately missed the start of training camp in September 2025 as leverage �. The holdout itself lasted less than two weeks before he signed a 6-year, $42 million deal on September 27, 2025, but the earlier months of daily communications without resolution created the perception of a dragging negotiation �.
Why Coach Q (Joel Quenneville) scratched him
Head coach Joel Quenneville ("Coach Q") made McTavish a healthy scratch for two games in Anaheim's second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights �. He was also scratched during the regular season for two consecutive games in March 2026 due to struggles with consistency and failure to connect with the team's play �. Quenneville's high-octane, puck-possession system hasn been difficult for McTavish to adjust to, and he eventually lost the second-line center role to the more veteran Mikael Granlund �.
Criticisms of his game
Expert analysis identifies several key weaknesses in McTavish's play as of June 2026:
Is his future in doubt?
Yes, his future with Anaheim is significantly in doubt. The Ducks are thought to have made him available for trade this summer (June 2026) after the disappointing season �. NHL insider David LeBrun stated: "The Ducks feel like he was chasing and never found his game" after the contract stalemate �.
Draft selection
McTavish was a high draft selection: he was chosen 3rd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft �.
Expert analysis as of June 22, 2026
As of right now (June 2026), experts view McTavish as a 22-year-old former third-overall pick who has not met expectations. The major concerns are his lack of progress defensively and lack of foot speed, which limit his effectiveness as a center �. LeBrun notes he was "chasing his year from the get-by by missing camp" and never recovered �. His confidence appears shaken, with questionable decision-making and effort, and he's described as "a shootout merchant" who isn't impacting games the way he needs to outside of shootouts �. The consensus is that he has stalled in his development and may need a new environment to succeed."
while #37 & #46 were ageing out, is no longer viable, never mind justifiable.
