Ducks, Blues, Canadiens & Canucks

This edition (June 26, 2026) of NHL Trade Talk Recap includes three recaps that have a common theme. Several teams made bold moves and big decisions that could shape their next few years. The Ducks dealt Mason McTavish to the Blues for two first-round picks. The Canadiens reportedly made a huge push for Kirill Marchenko. And the Canucks’ mood around Elias Pettersson has turned complicated enough that the Canucks may be testing what they could get.

Ducks Trade McTavish for Two Big First-Round Picks

The Anaheim Ducks officially traded Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for the 15th and 29th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. After being a major building block in Anaheim, McTavish’s time with the Ducks is over.

For St. Louis, it’s a clear “push to get better now” move. McTavish gives them a young, two-way center who can play tough and still produce. For Anaheim, it’s all about adding draft ammo. Getting two first-rounders gives them more flexibility to keep building. They could even trade up/down while staying in a good spot financially.

Ducks Trade Mason McTavish to Blues for Two First-Round Picks

Canadiens Going Big for Kirill Marchenko

Frank Seravalli says the Montreal Canadiens made a massive offer for Kirill Marchenko of the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was to the point where he joked the Habs might look silly for throwing that kind of deal out there. Marchenko reportedly isn’t pushing for a move and is said to be happy in Columbus. The Blue Jackets may just be testing whether anyone will overpay as contract talks get closer.

Seravalli adds that Columbus would only let him go for a real premium. That’s because Marchenko has been a consistent goal scorer (27, 31, and 23 in the last three seasons). He is still under a pretty team-friendly deal ($3.85 million) before becoming an RFA next year. Montreal continues to explore the trade market. They’re checking on other targets like Vincent Trocheck and Bo Horvat. They got shut down by the Islanders for Horvat, and also got a “fat no” from Columbus when they called about Marchenko.

Canadiens Put Massive Offer on the Table for Kirill Marchenko

Pettersson’s Vancouver Situation Just Got Complicated

Elias Pettersson was supposed to be the Canucks’ long-term centrepiece, but now the conversation surrounding him has become much more complicated. After Daniel Sedin’s comments, it sounds like Vancouver is basically saying the responsibility is on Pettersson, and reports suggest some teams have concerns about his effort.

At the same time, Vancouver isn’t just sulking. They’re reportedly testing the market. GM Ryan Johnson may be encouraged personally, but the team is still figuring out if Pettersson fits their bigger plan, especially with his expensive $11.6 million contract acting like both an anchor and a problem. On top of that, the no-movement clause means it’s not just about what Vancouver wants. It’s also about where Pettersson will agree to go, so any trade comes down to finding the right fit for both sides.

Why Pettersson Is the Canucks’ Most Complicated Roster Question

Today’s Posts:

Utah Mammoth Acquire Sebastian Cossa From Red Wings
Rangers Acquire Pavel Dorofeyev in Surprise Trade
Bruins, Mammoth Working on Potential JJ Peterka Trade
When Fit, Value, and Reality Collide in an NHL Trade Debate
Opportunity to Trade Darnell Nurse to the Ducks Just Opened Up
Bruins Considering Return of Former Defenseman in Trade with Maple Leafs
Ducks Trade Zellweger to Sabres for Wahlberg and Second-Round Pick
Maple Leafs Trade Sam Ersson Rights to Ottawa for Fifth-Round Pick
Dissecting Suggested Big 3-Team Trade: Knies, Robertson, and the No. 2 Pick
Why the Radical Turn in the Rielly Conversation?
ets Confirm They’ve Taken Trade Calls on Connor Hellebuyck
Senators Lock Up Jordan Spence on Four-Year, $5M AAV Extension
Canadiens Calling on Big Names Just Hours Before the 2026 NHL Draft
Maple Leafs and Oilers Among Teams Linked to Alex DeBrincat
Quinn Hughes Signing Extension With the Wild, Owner Craig Leipold Says
Maple Leafs Not Trading Knies and Rielly, But Defenseman Likely to Be Moved
Ducks Weighing Two Big Trade Offers for Mason McTavish
4 Teams Rejected: What We’re Hearing About the Jason Robertson Trade