Maple Leafs Can't Ignore Division Rival's Push for Mason McTavish
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a very familiar face in the sweepstakes for Mason McTavish, as Sportsnet revealed the Detroit Red Wings as a top destination.
There's been a lot of discussion around the Toronto Maple Leafs and who they are going to add when it comes to a top-six forward. Linked to several high-profile names, the team certainly has their options if they wanna bring the firepower.
One name tossed around a bunch has been Anaheim's Mason McTavish, as the Swiss-born forward is looking for a new deal as an RFA and might cost the Ducks a fair amount; so they may look to dump him for the right price.
While it would be hard for Toronto to flat out get him, they have some pieces and a load of creativity but according to Sportsnet; they have some stiff competition.
Why Mason McTavish to Detroit Could Shift the Atlantic Balance
In a recent article with potential trade destinations for McTavish, the outlet named the Detroit Red Wings as a great place for McTavish, and they could have the upper hand over the Leafs:
There's a blatant connection here, given Verbeek worked under Detroit boss Steve Yzerman for years, both in the Motor City and before that, with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Red Wings are looking to push forward as they attempt to end a playoff drought that's creeping up to 10 years.
Marco Kasper had a strong, 19-goal rookie season, but you could definitely see Detroit wanting to beef up down the middle behind the captain and No. 1 pivot Dylan Larkin.
By all rights, you'd expect Anaheim to be targeting a return that helps the club right now as the Ducks try to move up into the Western Conference playoffs under first-year Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville.
Marco Kasper had a strong, 19-goal rookie season, but you could definitely see Detroit wanting to beef up down the middle behind the captain and No. 1 pivot Dylan Larkin.
By all rights, you'd expect Anaheim to be targeting a return that helps the club right now as the Ducks try to move up into the Western Conference playoffs under first-year Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville.
The connection between Detroit and Anaheim is strong, and Yzerman's influence on Verbeek's negotiation strategy is in full effect when it comes to McTavish.
If he were to come into Detroit, he would instantly make them a serious threat alongside Larkin, Mo Seider, Lucas Raymond, Alex Debrincat, and the aforementioned Kasper.
McTavish, 22, had 52 points in 76 games (22 goals, 30 assists) while adding 70 hits, 38 PIM and a plus/minus of zero in 16:53 TOI.
While there are still some concerns with the team as a whole, adding McTavish turns the Atlantic into a wide open race between basically everyone involved.
The Cost of Acquiring McTavish and Whether the Red Wings Can Afford It
But who would Anaheim target? According to the article, it's right-handed defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka:
Still, Anaheim might think long and hard about a piece like defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka, if the Wings were willing to deal him.
The 17th overall pick from 2023 might be ready to push for an NHL job following two strong years in Sweden's top league.
He's not big, but Sandin Pellikka comes in the coveted right-shot package, which offers a nice counterbalance to the young lefties Anaheim already has in Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger.
The 17th overall pick from 2023 might be ready to push for an NHL job following two strong years in Sweden's top league.
He's not big, but Sandin Pellikka comes in the coveted right-shot package, which offers a nice counterbalance to the young lefties Anaheim already has in Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger.
Adding Pellikka to the fold would give the Ducks an insane youth core of defensemen and with his recent international displays, could be set to be star for years.
How a Potential McTavish Deal Could Impact the Maple Leafs' Plans
Well, not only the obvious; that being the Atlantic Division becomes a wild goose chase for the top-three, but it makes Toronto's urgent need to improve their top-six a mandatory priority.
If teams like Detroit, who are on the cusp of success, can end up adding the right pieces that push them over the top, it means Toronto lags behind and might end up being unable to compete in the future; they get older while other teams constantly get younger.
It makes a tough decision even harder, and with Anaheim not taking anything back but a premium return, it gives Brad Treliving two options.
First, he can go all in, trade Easton Cowan, their last first-round pick, and maybe even Ben Danford. Is this insane? In some ways yes; but McTavish is 22 and is already a bonafide star.
Or, he decides to sit still and not trade for McTavish and hope that he can bring in that high-end forward in 2026's free agent class.
There's really no middle ground for the Maple Leafs when it comes to acquiring Mason McTavish. Either they bring him in for a ridiculous price, or watch him head elsewhere (or stay in Anaheim).
Whatever the result, it's going to cause a mighty stir.
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