In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the latest on Ducks center Mason McTavish, Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, and Islanders captain Anders Lee, plus several teams could be willing to trade their first-round picks, and an update on the Wild.
TEAMS REPORTEDLY CALLING ABOUT MASON MCTAVISH
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes Mason McTavish will be a trade target this offseason. He admits there is “zero evidence” that the Anaheim Ducks are shopping the 23-year-old center, but he said he “knows for a fact” that several teams have inquired about him, despite the fact he regressed this season following a contract dispute.
McTavish has another five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million. According to LeBrun, some teams view him as an “ideal reset candidate”, which is all the more reason why the Ducks won’t move him unless a team makes a major pitch.
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)
An ideal pitch would be if the Toronto Maple Leafs offered up Auston Matthews, who could have Anaheim on his list of seven or eight potential landing spots. However, LeBrun believes that Matthews will return with the Maple Leafs next season at least.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have over $38.7 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27, which is more than enough to carry McTavish’s cap hit. However, LeBrun noted that Ducks stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are in line for substantial raises coming off their entry-level contracts. He believes that could be a reason why the Ducks might entertain offers for McTavish.
Several teams are in the market for depth at center. The Los Angeles Kings spring to mind, but it’s unlikely the Ducks will send McTavish to a local rival. The Minnesota Wild need a first-line center, but McTavish isn’t ready yet to fill that role, if ever.
McTavish would be a good fit, age-wise, with the young Montreal Canadiens. He could address their need for a second-line center, but there is concern about his speed and his struggles this season.
PROPOSED TRADE DESTINATION FOR SIMON NEMEC
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols observed that just because Simon Nemec didn’t ask the Devils to be traded, that doesn’t mean he won’t be. He believes there would be plenty of suitors if the 22-year-old puck-moving defenseman becomes available.
Nichols suggested the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks as potential trade destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks have the cap space and a need for blueline depth. The Blues are retooling their roster but could balk at signing the promising young restricted free agent to an expensive new contract; his lack of arbitration rights would work in their favor.
The Canadiens’ priority is landing a second-line center. The Predators are attempting to transition toward younger talent and could take a serious interest in Nemec. The Kraken seek a scoring winger, not a young defenseman.
The Maple Leafs’ lack of depth on the right side of their blueline would make Nemec an attractive option for them, depending on the cost of the trade package and his new contract. The rebuilding Canucks could also be a serious suitor.
THE LATEST ON THE WILD
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith recently looked at which players on the Minnesota Wild would be considered trade bait this summer.
Goaltenders Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson have surfaced in the rumor mill this season. However, Russo and Smith consider it unlikely that Wallstedt will be traded, with Gustavsson recently having undergone hip surgery.
Russo and Smith include center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin among the players they believe the Wild would listen on for the right deal. They think the Wild would have to shed salary if they’re re-signing Quinn Hughes and looking to acquire another top player. However, they admit that the Wild should have suitable replacements in place if they’re parting ways with Eriksson Ek and Brodin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild management could have other players in mind as trade candidates. They’ll still need Eriksson Ek and Brodin in the lineup once they’ve acquired that first-line center.
ISLANDERS INTERESTED IN RE-SIGNING ANDERS LEE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports it’s his understanding that New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche is interested in re-signing team captain Anders Lee. The 35-year-old left wing is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after coming off a contract paying him an average annual value of $7 million.
Darche has reportedly told Lee’s agent that the team wants Lee back. However, they need to make some other moves before negotiations can begin. LeBrun stated that Lee would like to return, but they must find common ground on salary and term, which won’t be easy because of his age.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lee will have to accept less money on a short-term deal. How much less, and how short a term, will be the sticking points.
MAPLE LEAFS, SHARKS, BLACKHAWKS OPEN TO MOVING THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICKS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cited league sources claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks are open to the idea of moving their respective first-round picks in this year’s draft.
The Maple Leafs own the first-overall pick, the Sharks own the second-overall pick, and the Blackhawks have the fourth-overall pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every team that owns picks that high in the draft is always open to offers, but they rarely move them. It will take substantial offers that would accelerate their retooling/rebuilding programs to tempt them into trading those picks.
Speaking of the Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic recently reported they’re in the market for a quality defenseman to stabilize their blueline. However, it’s unlikely they’ll part with their first-rounder to get him.