The Montreal Canadiens were expected to still be deep in their rebuilding phase this season. Instead, they’ve put a jetpack on their timeline and turned the 2025-26 campaign into one of the NHL’s biggest surprise stories.
Now, with the Eastern Conference Final tied 1-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes heading into a massive Game 3 at the Bell Centre, Montreal suddenly looks much closer to true Stanley Cup contention than anyone expected.
And regardless of how this playoff run ends, speculation is already building around one major offseason target as Montreal looks to add to its ranks.
$42M NHL Center Back on Montreal Canadiens’ Radar
The player once again being connected to Montreal is Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.
Trade speculation surrounding McTavish traces back to last offseason, when his relationship with Anaheim’s front office reportedly became strained during difficult contract negotiations. McTavish missed part of training camp before eventually signing a six-year, $42 million extension carrying a $7 million cap hit.
“I was told that when McTavish was going through that contract battle and sat out part of camp before signing last September, the Canadiens made it clear they were willing dance partners if Verbeek wanted to trade him,” a source told NHL insider Jimmy Murphy.
Things only became more complicated during the season. After missing parts of training camp, McTavish struggled offensively, finishing with a career-low 41 points in 75 games along with a disappointing minus-15 rating.
The frustration continued into the playoffs despite Anaheim’s surprising first-round upset of the Edmonton Oilers. McTavish was healthy scratched for two games in that series and frequently found himself pushed into a reduced role behind Leo Carlsson and Mikael Granlund.
Now, the same NHL source believes Montreal could aggressively revisit the situation this summer. If the Canadiens come close to reaching the Stanley Cup Final, it could dramatically accelerate management’s timeline to make a major move.
“Even if they lose to the Canes in six or seven games, that’s still further than even they likely projected to be right now. That city, the fans, they just realized how good this team already is and they’ve gotten a hell of a ride. They’re going to want more and want it now.
“In my opinion, there aren’t many other teams positioned to attack what’s going to be an active trade market this offseason. I could see them circling back on McTavish,” the source noted.
General manager Kent Hughes is also well aware that Montreal still has major needs down the middle behind captain Nick Suzuki. By his own admission, Hughes attempted to land another top center at the trade deadline, and many expect him to aggressively pursue that goal again this offseason.
At just 23 years old, McTavish fits perfectly into Montreal’s emerging young core alongside Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, and Ivan Demidov.
His physical, heavy style around the net also matches the type of identity head coach Martin St. Louis has tried to build throughout Montreal’s lineup.
For now, the Canadiens remain focused on their unexpected playoff run. But as the offseason approaches, McTavish’s name is once again emerging as one of the more intriguing possibilities connected to Montreal.
