Value of: Mason McTavish to Montreal

[FiveTacos]

This is one of those cases where breaking down splits and development tell more of a story than just looking at the counting stats...

McTavish had 16 points in 30 games from the start of the season through the end of 2024 on unsustainably cold 8.5% shooting.

In 2025, McTavish had 17 goals and 36 points in 46 games on very sustainable 14.1% shooting while earning a minute more of ice time per game as his game developed. Interestingly, all that extra ice time occurred at even strength, his PP time actually went down as his all-around game and scoring went way up. No PP heater mirages here.

McTavish is a guy primed for a big year given how his metrics and even strength quality improved over the season and with Cronin gone, expect an even bigger boost.

It's helpful to look at more than the NHL.com or EP scoring list. You can get a lot of insight by breaking down the composition of a player's season, especially a young player who is still developing. Ducks fans should be very bullish on the McTavish outlook for 2025-26. I think a 70-75 point season is very reasonable as he and Leo form a pretty ridiculous young 1-2 punch at center. In a world where hardly anybody is satisfied with their outlook down the middle, that's a premium position to be in.

Most notably, during his last 35 games he had 32 points. The year before he had a stretch at the beginning of the season with 21 points in his first 20 games. Those aren't stretches of 2C play, that's stretches where he looks like a 1C.

Now, does that mean he's ready to do that for 82 games? Probably not. But let's say, he ups it to a 50 or 60 game span at that level? I don't think anyone would be shocked. And yeah, that would probably end up a 70ish point season if he could do that.

Also notable that Carlsson had 29 in his last 30, Gauthier 22 in his last 30, and Zegras 19 in his last 27. I don't see why they'd want to mess with any of that right now.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I clearly meant mactavish I mean it's not like I alluded to his 52 pt career year or anything

Career year? He’s 22. Wording it like that is just disingenuous and obnoxious.

Your narrative would make more sense if you were talking about Marchment, tbh. He’s 29 and has a career high of 53 points. Thats what you’re acting like McTavish’s value is.

McTavish has two-way 1C upside, and already plays at a top-six level both offensively and defensively. I’m sorry, but that’s just overall more valuable than Caufield, and I say that as a Habs fan.

 

[lwvs84]

McTavish needs 6 more goals and 13 more points to match Caufield's age 23 season. An average power play and a better line could get him that. Plus he plays a more valuable position and is a bigger guy (something Verbeek values).

 

[TomKosto]

A few local rumors circulating about offer sheets. Anaheim has their 1C in Carlsson so I wonder what it would take to see McTavish moved.

It's hard to believe since Anaheim has tons of cap space but for the sake of indulgence, can some Anaheim fans chip in what they'd want from Montreal?

Theses are not rumors but one ex agent writing an idea on twitter. Sorry for yall Ducks fans, this was discussed for like 2weeks on our forum lmfao. It’s not happening.

 

[bud12]

McTavish needs 6 more goals and 13 more points to match Caufield's age 23 season. An average power play and a better line could get him that. Plus he plays a more valuable position and is a bigger guy (something Verbeek values).

So he needs 13 more pts to match a guy who was coming back from a big shoulder surgery with a astronomical low shooting % ?

 

[Sendhelp2Anaheim]

Career year? He’s 22. Wording it like that is just disingenuous and obnoxious.

Your narrative would make more sense if you were talking about Marchment, tbh. He’s 29 and has a career high of 53 points. Thats what you’re acting like McTavish’s value is.

McTavish has two-way 1C upside, and already plays at a top-six level both offensively and defensively. I’m sorry, but that’s just overall more valuable than Caufield, and I say that as a Habs fan.

Ya we’ll get a much clearer idea of what mctavish is this year, with a nhl system and hopefully nhl powerplay.

 

[DucksRoll]

Articles get written on nonsense like this because it's trade porn for fanbases. Deals like this basically never happen because it isn't realistic. Anaheim would have to be in cap hell, or McTavish would have to not fit our window, or we'd have to be significantly lower on him than Montreal. None of those are true, so arguing about what he's worth is pointless. The only way Anaheim trades him is if Montreal offers an overpay of talent - not picks. Montreal is in a similar position to Anaheim - maybe a year ahead - so this kind of deal makes no sense for them either.

 

[lwvs84]

So he needs 13 more pts to match a guy who was coming back from a big shoulder surgery with a astronomical low shooting % ?

OK, so you want to add context. Who's Caufield's most common linemates? They're probably better than Zegras/pre breakout Gauthier and Fabbri/Colangelo (Fabbri is the one that hurts his points)... and getting healthy only increased Caufield's points total by 5, but 9 more goals.
So McTavish has 2 seasons to go up 18 points to match this season's point total. He would need to increase by 15 goals to catch up, points are more likely than the goals.

 

[I am Canadian]

Dude is going to be menace in the playoffs. I don't see anything on Montreal's roster that would entice Anaheim.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Dude is going to be menace in the playoffs. I don't see anything on Montreal's roster that would entice Anaheim.

Lol, sure.

 

[Paradoxe]

Just KK OS him and let's have a laugh.

 

[Hockeyfan200]

Just KK OS him and let's have a laugh.

Montreal isn't going to do that and he's not signing for less than 11mil, maybe more which means four 1st round picks starting in 26

 

[Paradoxe]

Montreal isn't going to do that and he's not signing for less than 11mil, maybe more which means four 1st round picks starting in 26

1x$11,700,191 : Two firsts, one second, and one third. (one-year deal like KK) [Then in January, they sign him to 8X$8.5]

Either Anaheim match and screw their salary structure for future, either they let him walk.