The Anaheim Ducks have had a transformative offseason, led by General Manager Pat Verbeek, who successfully traded Trevor Zegras and John Gibson, both of whom were long-term trade candidates. Following these moves, Verbeek signed Lukas Dostal and Drew Helleson, bolstering the team with fresh contracts. However, the unresolved contract situation of restricted free agent Mason McTavish looms large, particularly after his impressive season, where he accumulated 52 points in 76 games. McTavish's improvement is evident; he has scored 140 points over 229 career games with Anaheim, but his current contract negotiations have stalled, raising questions about Verbeek's vision for the team's future.

Amidst whispers of McTavish being on the trade block, the general sentiment is that trading him would be counterproductive. Ryan Strome has expressed confidence that McTavish's contract will soon be resolved, emphasizing the player's integral role in the Ducks' aspirations. With nearly $21 million in cap space, the Ducks are well-equipped to meet McTavish’s demands, provided they can reach an agreement. As the offseason progresses, securing McTavish’s signature becomes a pivotal task for Anaheim, not just for maintaining team chemistry but also for fending off potential offer sheets from other franchises.