The last 12 days were a good opportunity for NHL fans, bloggers and pundits to take a vacation. There has been no activity in the trade market since July 25, while none of the remaining notable RFAs signed new contracts or offer sheets from rival clubs.
While nothing significant took place in the NHL’s trade and free-agent markets, there was plenty of chatter in the rumor mill. So, let’s take this moment to catch up on some of the more notable speculation of the past week-and-a-half.
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On Aug. 7, New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols suggested Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald still has work to do over the remainder of the off-season.
Nichols observed that the Devils have just over $6 million in salary cap space. He pointed out they must shed some salary to make room for Luke Hughes’ new contract. The 21-year-old defenseman is an RFA coming off his entry-level contract and ineligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club.
According to Nichols, the Devils still need a second-line winger or a third-line center. He made the case for reacquiring Tyler Toffoli, but the winger holds a first-line spot on the San Jose Sharks alongside rising stars Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund. Signed through 2027-28, he’s not going anywhere.
Mason McTavish (James Guillory-Imagn Images)
Speaking of RFAs, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is eligible to sign an offer sheet. However, PuckPedia indicates the Ducks have over $20 million in cap space, so it’s a safe bet that they will match any offer for the 22-year-old center.
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The Hockey News’ Patrick Present cited multiple reports of McTavish wanting a long-term deal, while the Ducks prefer a bridge contract. Present argued that if McTavish received a long-term contract, it’s possible, based on his development so far, that he would outplay his average annual value in short order.
Any team interested in McTavish must go the trade route. According to James Murphy of RG.Org, the Detroit Red Wings are one club showing an interest in the Ducks center. The Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens are among the other teams reportedly “keeping tabs” on him.
Murphy cited an NHL executive suggesting the relationship between Ducks GM Pat Verbeek and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could help to facilitate a deal. The pair were teammates with the Wings during their playing days, and Verbeek worked for Yzerman in the front offices of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Red Wings.
The Hockey News’ Jake Tye wrote the Red Wings could use a big swing to add someone to the first-line left-wing spot alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. McTavish can play at center or the left wing.
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Nevertheless, Verbeek is known for driving a hard bargain. He’ll likely want a good young roster player or a top prospect as part of any return for McTavish.
As for the Canadiens’ rumored interest in McTavish, Murphy’s colleague, Marco D’Amico, reported that sources claim they’re unwilling to part with top prospects David Reinbacher and Michael Hage in their pursuit of an experienced second-line center.
If Reinbacher and Hage are off the table, it’s doubtful they can come up with a suitable offer for McTavish to tempt Verbeek. The Hockey News’ Karine Hains said it would take core pieces already on the Habs’ roster to part with and not just futures, so a deal seems unlikely at this point.
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