Latest Intel On McTavish: 'Time To Talk Trade' Not Yet Signalled by Ducks

Contrary to what we've been hearing, one NHL executive says that the Anaheim Ducks have not yet signalled that it's time to talk trade when it comes to unsigned restricted free agent Mason McTavish.

With things getting dicey as training camp quickly approaches, the two sides are still not closing in on a new contract for the promising young center. But Ducks GM Pat Verbeek is not yet ready to seriously talk turkey on a trade, as the exec told James Murphy at rg.org.

He hasn’t sent the bat signal out yet that it’s time to talk trade and take the best offer. The pressure point of camp is coming, but right now they’re not there yet, and I’m not sure they ever get there.

Most observers around the sport agree that it would be foolish for the Ducks to trade the 22-year-old, who has improved in each of his three seasons in Orange County. This past year, he recorded 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games.

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 is on the table. The Ducks have plenty of cap space ($20.5 million), so that's not the issue.

Several teams looking for a 2C could be interested in Mason McTavish

The Detroit Red Wings are one team that has been linked to McTavish, and Murphy names three other teams that are still very active in searching for a 2C: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens. Would any of the aforementioned give Verbeek a ring if trade talks ever do commence for real?

But 'Holy trade talks, Batman', first, those teams and any other interested parties will all need to wait for that 'bat signal' from the Ducks' GM.