The NHL offseason lingers as teams wait on key restricted free agents, with Mason McTavish at the center of the swirl. Luke Hughes and Marco Rossi remain unsigned, keeping their clubs wary of optics and cap implications. Anaheim’s patience is tested as McTavish’s role under Pat Verbeek’s system remains in flux, fueling trade chatter despite the Ducks’ stated playoff goals. A cluster of destinations—Detroit, Carolina, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Philadelphia, and even Pittsburgh—are floated as viable fits, each with its own price tag and strategic upside. The conversation centers on McTavish as a potential 2C and whether Anaheim should cash in now or hold for the right return.

Across the league, teams weigh how to navigate center depth behind McTavish, while rivals eye the Ducks’ leverage with a premium. The piece also threads in related unsigned RFAs and notable roster moves, highlighting how one marquee trade could realign conferences and fantasy values alike. Until signings land and training camps open, the market circling McTavish will shape both real-world outcomes and fantasy projections for the coming season.