Mason McTavish Skates in Ottawa as Contract Stalemate Drags On
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Anaheim Ducks are in a contract stalemate with forward Mason McTavish, and a new update indicates neither side is close to it being solved.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the two sides are well apart on a new deal, with McTavish seeking a bridge deal and the Ducks not wanting to do so.
With the Ducks & McTavish apart in extension talks, McTavish is not with the team, and is instead skating with the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League as he awaits any change in discussions between himself and Anaheim.
McTavish is one of five currently unsigned restricted free agents. One of the remaining RFA's, Wyatt Kaiser, re-signed with the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday on a two-year deal.
The situation leaves McTavish's role in limbo as the former third overall pick is without a new deal, and Anaheim without one of their top forwards ready to go for the upcoming season.
Why McTavish Skating in Ottawa Underscores the Ducks' Contract Dilemma
The challenge of the McTavish contract has been heightened by the 22-year-old not skating with the team, opting to be in Ottawa as he awaits word of any update on where things stand between the Ducks and his agent.
Obviously, McTavish is not playing with the 67's as he is both well aged out of the OHL and having signed in the NHL, but is able to skate where he pleases.
McTavish is coming off a breakout year with 22 goals, 30 assist, & 52 points in 76 games played with the Anaheim Ducks last season. Selected third overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, McTavish has emerged as a full-time top-six option for Anaheim.
AFP Analytics projects for a long-term deal of six years at $6.77M, with a short-term bridge deal being for three years at just under $4M annually.
How McTavish's Situation Draws Parallels to Maple Leafs Contract Standoffs
Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs can relate to the current standoff between the two sides and the difficulty it has getting things done close to the finish line.
Toronto famously waited out contract extensions for Mitch Marner and William Nylander in the past, with in Marner's case there being rumors that Switzerland was looked at as a potential option with the chance that he holds out entirely with the Leafs.
Toronto has also dealt with signing delays this offseason, with Nick Robertson the last player left unsigned eligible for arbitration who finally got a deal settled after arbitration was planned, but never finalized thanks to the agreement.
Mason McTavish has been a player linked to Toronto, but there's no indication the rebuilding Ducks are looking to sell their young forward, and there's no certainty that Toronto can afford such a move.
In the off chance that McTavish were to become a Toronto Maple Leafs, he could fight for a spot on the Leafs second-line, and would give Toronto instantly a long-term option at center behind Auston Matthews.
Toronto does have to consider affordability with players such as Connor McDavid, Artemi Panarin, & Kirill Kaprizov potential players who could see themselves join new teams at the end of the 2025-26 season, but Toronto, as they've been all offseason, will be cautious in finding the right pieces on offense.
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