When a young talent like Mason McTavish finds himself scratched from the Anaheim Ducks' lineup for two games in a row, eyebrows naturally raise. McTavish was notably absent during Anaheim's win over the Montreal Canadiens and will miss the matchup against Trevor Zegras and the Philadelphia Flyers. This situation has sparked interest across the league, with the Boston Bruins reportedly eyeing McTavish as a potential trade target this offseason.
Now, the Ducks aren't about to let McTavish go for nothing. The young center, who held out during part of training camp over contract negotiations, eventually inked a six-year deal at $7 million annually.
It's a solid contract when McTavish is firing on all cylinders. However, with just 32 points this season and only one assist in his last eight games, he's not exactly living up to expectations at the moment.
This isn't the best scenario for McTavish under head coach Joel Quenneville, who's known for his no-nonsense approach. Quenneville, in his first year with the Ducks, has no longstanding ties to the current roster, making it challenging for players to regain favor once they've fallen out. This might spell trouble for McTavish's future in Anaheim.
Turning our attention to the Bruins, they've been in the market for a center to bolster their depth. Their previous interest in Robert Thomas hit a snag due to high asking prices, and while McTavish won't come cheap, his current struggles might make him a more attainable target. If the Ducks continue their strong play and McTavish remains sidelined, his trade value could take a hit.
A deal involving McTavish might not be straightforward-something like Matthew Poitras and a first-round pick might not suffice. However, the Bruins have assets they could leverage to secure a solid middle-six center, especially considering concerns about Elias Lindholm's contract longevity.
For the Bruins, a strategic move for McTavish could be a smart play. Analyst Elliotte Friedman recently drew parallels between McTavish and Jeremy Swayman, suggesting that McTavish might rebound after a challenging year marked by a contract holdout. Bruins fans would certainly welcome such a turnaround, especially if it happens in Boston colors.
Boston has worked hard to rebuild its talent pipeline, and a move for McTavish, who carries a lower cap hit and is three years younger than Thomas, might just fit the bill for their future plans.