Bowing out in the Eastern Conference Final always leaves a sour taste in your mouth; just ask the Montreal Canadiens.
After a blistering start in Game 1, the Canadiens lost control of the series, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. With that loss, attention turns to what general manager Kent Hughes can do this summer to add some firepower to this young Montreal side, and it appears he already has one target on his radar, though he could be facing some competition for that move.
Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors: Trading For $42M Ducks Center a Complicated Endeavor
Last September, Hughes was reportedly keeping a keen eye on the proceedings as the Anaheim Ducks reached a brief stalemate with Mason McTavish over a contract extension. While the two sides eventually hashed things out with a $42 million, six-year deal, McTavish never quite hit the ground running after that.
His ice time and production both took a hit as he finished the regular season with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists), an 11-point drop from last season. He played a mere 10 games during Anaheim’s playoff run, registering one goal and five assists. That form saw him scratched a couple of times across the postseason, and rumors are growing that Anaheim could be willing to part ways with the 23-year-old center.
So far, the Canadiens have been linked with circling back on their interest in McTavish, but Ottawa Citizen insider Bruce Garrioch reports that the Ottawa Senators could also check in on the young Ducks center.
“Yes, McTavish is a centre, but he could play wing, or it could give head coach Travis Green the option of moving second-line pivot Dylan Cozens to the wing,” Garrioch wrote in his column. “It’s believed the Philadelphia Flyers would be among the teams that would show interest in McTavish because they need help in the middle, along with the Montreal Canadiens.”
McTavish was the No. 3 overall pick in the 202 NHL Draft and, more importantly, doesn’t have any trade protection in his new deal. That said, Anaheim is not looking to sell low.
Garrioch reports that potential suitors would have to pay a steep price to pry McTavish out of Anaheim, “including a first-round pick and someone who can help the Ducks immediately, although the term and money left on McTavish’s contract may lower the asking price a bit.”
After getting eliminated in four straight games by the Carolina Hurricanes, the Senators could look into taking some big swings this summer.
At that price, it’s unclear if the Montreal Canadiens would enquire after McTavish.
While they do have a need for some help down the middle behind Nick Suzuki, multiple insiders report that this is expected to be a busy summer when it comes to the trade market. If the Canadiens keep their powder dry early on, perhaps there’s a better deal to be made for a distressed asset in the league.
