The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks.
Mason McTavish would seem to be someone that the Anaheim Ducks would be crazy to part with, but the 22-year-old restricted free agent is looking for a massive payday after a 52-point season in the final year of his entry-level contract. The 2021 third overall pick is what most teams are looking for: a big-bodied, offensively talented center. He made the NHL at 19, and scored 17, 19, and 22 goals in three seasons. Although eligible for an offer sheet, teams are unlikely to go down that road, since the Ducks have the most cap space in the NHL, even after signing veteran Mikael Granlund and trading for veteran winger Chris Kreider, and could match anything.
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The additions of Kreider and Granlund this summer to go along with three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville behind the bench, the Ducks look to be ready to make their move into playoff competition, but GM Pat Verbeek may be looking at McTavish as a cautionary tale to other youngsters; like centers Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, who are coming up for their new deals next summer.
What Would It Cost?
The competition for McTavish would be hot and heavy if he is truly being shopped, and with his success and NHL experience at such a young age, it will likely cost Buffalo a major young piece like Owen Power or a package that would include winger Zach Benson, prospect Konsta Helenius and their 2026 first round pick to pry the big forward away from Anaheim.
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