Mason McTavish’s name has dominated Ducks chatter this summer as Anaheim weighs moving their 21-year-old center to reset the roster around Trevor Zegras or to reel in a true right-shot top-four defender. The price, as discussed on Shaun Starr’s show, isn’t small: Montreal would likely have to part with Reinbacher plus additional assets or a package that includes high-end futures and a first-round pick. The prevailing view is that Pat Verbeek rarely panics, waiting out RFAs until a deal lines up with his long-term plan. The Canadiens’ rebuild makes them a logical destination, but the cost could stretch beyond a single package and force Montreal to choose between top-four defense and future center depth. The center of gravity in this debate is whether McTavish will stay in Anaheim or become the centerpiece of a larger, franchise-altering swap.

From a fantasy lens, McTavish’s move would dramatically shift value: landing in Montreal could position him as a clear top-line center, boosting scoring projections and PP time, while a Ducks lineup that absorbs a different top-line pivot might compress Zegras’ production or alter power-play structure. Reinbacher’s potential arrival would help Montreal at even strength, but the immediate fantasy swing hinges on where McTavish lands and who slots into the center roles. The summer rumor mill remains active, but the likelihood of a quick resolution appears low as the Ducks hold and Montreal studies the landscape for a deal that could redefine both teams’ futures.