Oilers' biggest rival connected to blockbuster deal for former 3rd overall draft pick

The Anaheim Ducks' restricted free agent, and offer sheet-eligible Mason McTavish, is currently at a contract impasse with his club. AFP Analytics, a sports consulting firm, projects the Mason McTavish's contract will be for 6 years, and worth $40.6M, with a $6.67M AAV.

Mason McTavish, however, is seeking an AAV of $7M - $9M. The stalemate between player and management has several teams interested in acquiring the skilled and highly-regarded forward, in particular the Vancouver Canucks, who have also targeted Jack Roslovic as an option for one of their top two lines.

Mason McTavish is the player the Canucks would prefer to acquire, one that would cost Vancouver a top roster player, prime prospect and two first-round draft picks, and of course, his projected salary.

McTavish has the potential to be a prime playoff performer for the Anaheim Ducks. He led Anaheim with 22 goals and 52 points last season, and this with a 24th-ranked team, and 30th-ranked offense. On a team like Vancouver, whose offense is much more advanced, McTavish would likely flourish, and help the team advance deeper into the playoffs.

According to one Canucks analyst, Vancouver could offer Anaheim Tom Willander, Nils Hoglander, and a 2026 unprotected 1st-round pick for McTavish, whose three year entry-level deal expired July1, 2025, which had a cap hit of just over $894K. Given what he's been able to do with the Ducks, McTavish is well due for a sizeable raise.

At 6'1" and 219 pounds, McTavish is exactly what the Canucks are looking for up the middle, where he plays a heavy and direct game. According to Ben Kuzma of The Province the Vancouver Canucks would salivate at the potential of adding McTavish to its lineup, but must wait for due process before any formal negotiations can begin - or make an offer sheet.

It is unclear how the Anaheim Ducks and Mason McTavish will proceed. Yet, with NHL training camps fast approaching, head coaches Adam Foote of the Canucks, and Joel Quenneville of the Ducks would like to know which jersey McTavish will be wearing.

And so would we. We'll keep you posted as information becomes available.