While the UFA market may not be the best place to find the Toronto Maple Leafs’ second line centre of the future, the RFA market might solve the problem and there might not be a more ideal target than Mason McTavish.
McTavish was selected third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft and has all the makings of a star in the NHL. He needed some time to develop, perhaps longer then some people expected from a player with his draft pedigree, but the development is paying off.
2024-25 was the year everyone expected McTavish would break out, and he did, setting new career highs with 22 goals, 30 assists and 52 points while playing 16:53 per game. Not only did McTavish’s offensive game take a step this past season, but his defensive game did as well. McTavish became better on the backcheck while using his 6-foot-1 frame to become more physical and to have great defensive positioning.
The Ducks have one of the best young cores in the NHL, many of whom will need to get paid. For the Ducks brass, it doesn’t mean they’re just going to cave. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has already dealt with a couple RFA contracts in the past. Troy Terry, who ended signing a seven-year extension worth with a cap hit of $7 million annualy, and Trevor Zegras, who signed for three years, carrying a cap hit of $5.750 million AAV. Both deals took time as Verbeek didn’t just give into what his young stars wanted.
By all accounts, the Ducks have the money to extend McTavish this summer, and should, but what if they don’t?
During an April 18 media availability McTavish said he hadn’t heard anything on a possible extension.
“Nothing yet. I’m sure it’ll kind of happen as the summer goes on. Obviously I love it here, and hopefully I can stay here… They believe in me. (No numbers, but) I think that’s more between my agent, me and Pat,” McTavish said via Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.
McTavish is in the sweet spot when it comes to RFAs this summer. He’s not expected to sign for more than $7 million annually with Quinton Byfield’s five-year contract worth $6.25 million AAV as comparable. This would make McTavish a target for an offer sheet or trade if the Ducks aren’t willing to commit the money other teams might.
If that is the case, the Maple Leafs should try everything to get him.
Here’s a trade package the Maple Leafs could offer as an offer sheet wouldn’t be possible due to the lack of picks.
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Mason McTavish (C)
Anaheim Ducks acquire: Nicholas Robertson (LW), Ben Danford (D), Calle Jarnkrok (C/LW), 2025 second-round pick (FLA), 2026 third-round pick
McTavish would immediately become the Maple Leafs second line centre, in the event John Tavares doesn’t re-sign with the Leafs, creating a one-two punch with Auston Matthews. Matthews-McTavish would be one of the league’s best centre duos both offensively and defensively (kind of like the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers) making it a nightmare for other teams to match up against.
For head coach Craig Berube, it would be a match made in heaven. McTavish plays the game the way Berube wants and is strong on the puck, something they didn’t have against the Panthers in the playoffs. McTavish could very well just be a younger version of Brayden Schenn, who Berube won a Stanley Cup with in 2019.
In a similar manner to Marco Rossi, the Maple Leafs would only make the deal if McTavish were to agree to an extension and if that number approaches Byfield’s term and price range, it could set the team up to win the Stanley Cup.
With $25.7 million in cap space, the Maple Leafs could add more pieces in free agency, making a more balanced attack up front and giving McTavish stars around him while he only continues to grow his game.
Although the Maple Leafs can’t talk to McTavish until June 30 about an offer sheet, they can solve a massive piece of the puzzle with a trade right now. It’s certainly an option worth considering in the Leafs’ summer of change.
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