Anaheim Ducks bench Mason McTavish in playoffs and Maple Leafs interest expected

With the Anaheim Ducks staring down Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, it was going to take a full team effort to stop them. After a last minute goal from Tomas Hertl put things in jeopardy, the Ducks managed to hold on for the 4-3 win.

The team had a bunch of lineup changes as well with Ian Moore, Oren Zellweger, and Mason McTavish slotting back into the lineup and boy did it pay off. Moore scored his first goal coming back to the blueline (he was scratched and also a forward for Joel Quenneville) meanwhile Zellweger also got a point in his return.

McTavish was held off the scoresheet after being a healthy scratch in games two and three, and had been a healthy scratch at various points this year. It's odd considering he is only 23 years old, signed long-term, and someone viewed as a key part of the Ducks core going forward.

McTavish, 23, had 41 points in 75 games this season (17 goals, 24 assists) and for his career has 181 points in 304 games (77 goals, 104 assists) however has a pretty rough minus-54 rating. He'll need to have some defensive protection, but the offensive side makes up for his shortcomings.

But with those consistent scratches looming over his head, there may be more in his future despite his head coach stating otherwise and if he feels like he needs a change of scenery then he may want out.

He currently makes $7-million until 2031, but he also has zero trade protection so if the Ducks feel like they want him out, he doesn't have much of a choice right now.

That's where the Maple Leafs slide in and make the Ducks an offer they can't refuse.

McTavish would be the perfect addition to a lineup that is not only looking to get younger, but faster and stronger overall. He's 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, a very solid face-off taker and could give Toronto's power-play a massive boost.

He also improved his possession numbers drastically, going from a mediocre 45.4 CF% to a respectable 53.2% CF%, and even in close/tied games at 5-on-5 his numbers are above average; he's steadily improving.

With John Tavares looking to have a bit less responsibility as he gets older, the team needs to replace him up the middle. Toronto has some of the best development and conditioning coaches in hockey, so getting him up to speed both figuratively and literally will be achievable.

Anaheim isn't exactly going to let him go for free, however with the consistent lack of faith in him they could be willing to part with him for a bit less.

Toronto could offer Nick Robertson, Cade Webber, and their 2026 2nd round and 4th round picks for McTavish, as it gives the Ducks a young forward who fits seamlessly into their lineup, a young defender who can step in for the veteran names leaving, and that pick crop is a pretty decent one all things considered.

That allows Anaheim to get a replacement up front, a promising defender and not one but two chances to draft a diamond in the rough, meanwhile allows Chayka to expand his lineup and essentially lockdown one of the toughest positions in the game.

It's a move that needs to be explored at the very least and it's up to Toronto to start doing their 'due diligence' on Mason McTavish.

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