Insider Says Ducks Would Have No Problem With McTavish Holdout

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks center, skates with puck

After the signing of Connor Zary this past week by the Calgary Flames, there are only a few notable restricted free agents without a contract as we head to training camp just a week and a half away now. Mason McTavish is the one who has had the most buzz around him.

The Anaheim Ducks have plenty of cap room ($20.5 million) to strike a deal with the 22-year-old second-line center, but the two sides are still nowhere close to an agreement. And according to insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, not having him in camp isn't something that GM Pat Verbeek would lose any sleep over.

Verbeek and the Ducks in the past have shown a willingness to keep guys out until they get what they are comfortable with. So, I always look at that and say, 'If they don't find a deal they like, could they keep him out longer and be comfortable with that?' And the history of the Ducks is, yes they would.

Could Mason McTavish be a holdout for training camp?

The last we heard is that Anaheim has not yet sent out official signals to the rest of the league that they're willing to talk trade on McTavish. Verbeek still sees the former 3rd overall pick as a key part of their future. But at what cost?

AFP Analytics projects McTavish to land a six-year, $6.7 million AAV contract on a longer-term deal, or a three-year, $3.98 million AAV if a shorter-term bridge deal is on the table.

But per Friedman, the latter likely won't be an option.

"The one thing I've consistently heard over the last little while is that they're not crazy about bridging McTavish... I've heard they prefer long-term... (But) it might not be easy for the two sides to agree on a longer projection."

McTavish recorded 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 76 games last season, all career highs, as was his 16:53 average ice time.