The Mason McTavish trade package and what it would realistically cost the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Mason McTavish was a healthy scratch for a Ducks team that seems to value him immensely, so if he isn't in their plans anymore, what could the Maple Leafs offer to lure him over?
There's a lot of excitement surround the Anaheim Ducks (unless you're talking about Radko Gudas) as they have a great young core with names like Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson and Bennett Sennecke.
But their latest move was a bit of a head-turner as they decided to scratch young power forward Mason McTavish as Troy Terry made his return to the lineup. It's fair due to his season struggles, but he's still one of their top offensive stars who makes a lot of money.
There's no indication he's on the move, but if a team offers a good enough package it could sway Anaheim into thinking about it - and the Maple Leafs are just that team.
A top-tier prospect and a future first are the realistic requirements to acquire Mason McTavish
Now, they don't have a great asset pool but this is about accelerating a rebuild and bringing in a 23-year old with proven NHL talent is a pretty good way to circumvent the draft.
At that point, they need to deal away their 2027 first-rounder for McTavish. If the team gets their 2026 first then they really won't need to use 2027 if they bring in the 2026 prospect and McTavish.
It would be turning Nicolas Roy into McTavish at the end of the day, and that's not a bad consolation prize when the dust has all settled.
But they also need to throw in a prospect, and it's hard to know what Anaheim would look for. They do need some younger defensive prospects so a name like Ben Danford would be a name that could be included, but it doesn't solve their forward issues.
So then, Toronto should part with the ever-growing Miroslav Holinka instead. While it would be a bummer to lose him, he's got the potential to play alongside the young guns for years just as they reach their prime. He's taken the WHL by storm and it seems like the AHL is next.
Adding a young power centre is the perfect way to build a new resilient identity in Toronto
But you're adding not only a 23-year old hulking forward, but one who plays centre and is your 2C replacement for John Tavares. A tandem of Matthews and McTavish up the middle would be a fantastic duo, though he needs a little work defensively.
He makes $7-million AAV until 2031, so he's locked down long-term for a reasonable deal. You have two massive young bodies in McTavish and Matthew Knies alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander; plus a blossoming Easton Cowan.
Suddenly this team doesn't look so bad, and if they bring in some more suitable players who can elevate and be true support pieces to the stars, then a retool might only be a one-year issue.
It's about trying to bring in a new era, and no more 'Core Four' talk. There's still remnants of that, and maybe it's also time to explore those scenarios, but McTavish represents a new generation.
The Maple Leafs are going to have to start out from a tiny bud all over again, but with the right moves and a bit of luck they can flourish once more.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 16|734 ANSWERS The Mason McTavish trade package and what it would realistically cost the Maple Leafs Should Toronto go all-in and trade for Mason McTavish? | ||
| Yes | 405 | 55.2 % |
| No | 329 | 44.8 % |
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