The Ottawa Senators are interested in making a move for RFA forward Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.
The Senators made the playoffs last season and are a relatively young team. Ottawa is looking to build off that, and NHL insider Alex Adams of Sportsnet reports that the Senators are interested in trading for McTavish.
“One interesting name that has been bandied about in the 613 area code is that of local forward Mason McTavish, who is without a contract in Anaheim,” Adams wrote. “McTavish, 22, a third-overall pick in 2021, plays centre (and could play the wing), is from Carp, which is just outside of Ottawa, and is a restricted free agent who put up 52 points last season. Notably, McTavish was on Staios’ Hamilton Bulldogs team that made it to the Memorial Cup in 2022. The hockey world is small.
“There have been rumblings that Anaheim and McTavish aren’t a happy family. If McTavish is on his way out of Southern California, don’t be surprised if Staios is all over that,” Adams added. “McTavish surely would want to play at home, but he’s also young, talented, has pedigree and would become a long-term part of the future in Ottawa. Maybe McTavish won’t come to Ottawa this summer or before the trade deadline, but Staios knows what Ottawa is missing and will try to acquire a vaunted top-six forward, whether it’s McTavish or someone of his ilk.”
McTavish is an RFA and has yet to re-sign with the Ducks. As Adams notes, there is some talk he could want out, and the insider believes the Senators would jump at the chance to acquire him.
McTavish recorded 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 76 games.
Senators GM Doesn’t Expect to Add
Although Adams links the Senators to McTavish, it’s uncertain if a trade will happen.
After the opening day of free agency wrapped, Senators’ general manager Stave Staios said it’s unlikely the team will make another big move.
“Most likely not,” said Staios. “We feel comfortable with where we are. Dylan Cozens, Fabian Zetterlund, Jordan Spence at the draft (were all acquired). We didn’t have a lot to do in free agency this year.”
The Senators traded for Spence to bolster the blue line, while also signing Lars Eller to be a bottom-six forward. Eller was the main player Staios and Ottawa had targeted.
“We had our sights set on a certain individual, and it was Lars,” said Staios. “(Eller is) another veteran with experience (and) a high-character individual that can move around the lineup.”
Ottawa has just over $4.2 million in cap space. However, keeping salary available for future moves is key, Staios said.
Senators GM Has Confidence in Group
After making the playoffs last season, Staios is confident the Senators will take another step forward next season.
Staios believes the young players will take another leap, and with the new additions, the Sens can compete for a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division.
“We feel like we have a good plan in place for this group,” Staios said. “(We’re) mindful of this group and their growth and their development. And I think it can’t emphasize that enough. They are taking hold of it. The manager is there to support it and to make sure that you could add to where you need to add. The emphasis is on this group.
“So, making additions is strategic to this group. I don’t think that they need so much as the support around them to continue to grow and develop together,” Staios added.
The Senators lost in six games to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Insider: Senators Interested in Trading for Star RFA Forward to Bolster Offense appeared first on Heavy Sports.