mason mctavish has become a trade name to watch, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are among a handful of teams that have checked in with the Anaheim Ducks about his availability. Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek is open to listening, which puts a 23-year-old center with 17 goals and 41 points last season into a market that could move quickly.
The Ducks would not be treating him like a short-term add. McTavish is entering the second season of a six-year, $42 million deal, so any return would have to reflect a player under control for the long haul.
Maple Leafs pursuit
The Leafs are looking for ways to improve down the middle this offseason, and McTavish fits that search because he can play center or move to the wing. He skates well, plays heavy, and brings edge, the kind of mix that can change how a lineup is built without requiring a full overhaul.
That is also why the interest around him is wider than one team. The St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, and Ottawa Senators are also keeping an eye on things as the draft gets closer, adding pressure to Anaheim if the Ducks decide to move beyond simply listening.
Verbeek and Anaheim
Verbeek’s stance is the part that keeps this from being routine scouting. Once a general manager is open to listening on a young player with McTavish’s production and contract, the discussion shifts from curiosity to price, and the Ducks are expected to ask for a first-round pick and a roster player who can step in right away.
That asking price sets a high bar. It tells interested teams that Anaheim is not looking for a futures-only package, and it makes the fit harder for clubs that want to keep their current core intact while adding a long-term piece.
McTavish’s value
His numbers give the market its footing. McTavish scored 17 goals and had 41 points in 75 games last season, and there is still belief around the league that his offense will rise with more consistent usage.
For any team weighing a deal, that is the tradeoff: a player young enough to build around, versatile enough to fit multiple roles, and expensive enough that the acquisition cost would have to match the upside. The Leafs have checked in; now the price set by Anaheim will tell interested teams whether this moves from conversation to negotiation.
