The Montreal Canadiens didn't make any trades prior to the trade deadline, but they ended up being one of the most talked-about teams after the deadline had passed. Kent Hughes indicated that they were working on a blockbuster deal that wasn't able to get across the finish line.
It is still unclear who the Canadiens were targeting, but it is clear that they are willing to make a big move if it fits within their vision of how they want to build this team. They have their core and will want to find players that complement that group and can grow alongside them.
For the Canadiens, one situation they need to monitor closely is in Anaheim, as Mason McTavish would be a perfect fit for what the Canadiens need and what Kent Hughes is targeting. McTavish was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and, after four decent seasons, was a restricted free agent this past summer.
The negotiations didn't go smoothly at all, and it wasn't until a few days before the season that McTavish would sign a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $7 million.
However, the first season of this new season has been disastrous as he is well off his pace from last season and has only 32 points in 61 games and a +/- of -11. The Ducks even had him as a healthy scratch the past two games, but he is expected to return on Friday night, according to Zach Cavanagh with The Sporting News.
Mason McTavish is the perfect answer for the Montreal Canadiens need at 2C
There is undoubtedly some risk that comes with trading for a young player like McTavish on such a long contract after a disappointing season. However, this feels like a bad situation for McTavish and the skill set is still there.
McTavish, even with 290 games played, is only 23 years old and fits within that core of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and the rookies Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen. He is someone who can hold his own in the faceoff circle with a career percentage of 48.7%, but is a boost to the power play with 21 career power-play goals.
The contract is also a big positive as he has a term with five seasons left after this one and a reasonable AAV of $7 million. As the salary cap increases, that salary is going to look more and more like a bargain.
The Ducks won't just give McTavish away, but the starting point should be what the Ducks got for Trevor Zegras last summer. In that trade, the Flyers sent the Ducks a second-round and fourth-round pick alongside Ryan Poehling.
It might cost a little more because the Ducks don't have to make a move, but it is one they may be ready to make after how the season has gone. If that is the case, the Montreal Canadiens should waste no time picking up the phone and getting a deal done.