NHL Trade Rumors: Ducks' Mason McTavish to the Montreal Canadiens?

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish continues to be among the players to watch on the NHL's offseason trade market. 

McTavish, 22, was a former 2021 third-overall pick of the Ducks, and last season had a breakout year, recording 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games. While the Ducks have over $21 million in cap space, McTavish continues to sit as a restricted free agent without a contract for next season, or beyond.

Trade rumors have picked up considerably throughout the offseason, and there's certainly been no shortage of interest from onlooking teams. Daily Faceoff's Anthony DiMarco recently was asked about what trades could be still coming, and McTavish's name jumped off the page:

I am not sure if he will move eventually, but I am very curious to see what happens with Mason McTavish with the Anaheim Ducks. If there is an eventual path to McTavish being moved, you can be sure that there will be no shortage of teams waiting in line to inquire about his services. The first one that jumps is the Montreal Canadiens, who have a lot of questions down the middle beyond captain Nick Suzuki. Not sure what a deal could look like, but the Canadiens are a club that I’d reckon would be keeping close tabs on McTavish’s availability.

The Ducks haven't been shy this summer, moving out some veterans including goaltender John Gibson. GM Pat Verbeek wants to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season, so he'll look to continue to be aggressive trying to upgrade his roster before training camp, which could mean swapping McTavish in a hockey trade.

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