NHL Rumor Mill – August 5, 2025
Could the Canadiens have an interest in Ducks center Mason McTavish? Will the Oilers re-sign Jake Walman to a long-term extension? What kind of extension could Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli receive? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
DAILY FACEOFF: In a recent mailbag segment, Anthony Di Marco indicated he’s curious about what happens with Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.
Di Marco said he can’t imagine McTavish wanting to remain with the Ducks after they traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. If there is an eventual path to the 23-year-old center getting moved, he believes there will be no shortage of clubs lining up to acquire him.
The Montreal Canadiens could be among the suitors. They have questionable depth at center beyond Nick Suzuki, and Di Marco thinks they’re keeping close tabs on McTavish.
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of speculation coming from pundits outside Anaheim suggests McTavish might want a change of scenery because he might be tired of the constant losing in Anaheim or a perceived unhappiness over the Zegras trade.
However, there has been no comment from the McTavish camp or the Ducks regarding his status or future with the club. That silence is providing fodder for trade and offer sheet conjecture, but there hasn’t been anything from the player, team, or local media to substantiate it.
McTavish is a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights. A club like the Canadiens could attempt to sign him to an offer sheet, but the Ducks have over $21 million in cap space and would easily match it. He’s a very good second-line center, but it’ll be shocking if a rival club signed him to a deal with a cap hit of over $7 million, especially given the hefty compensation prices.
The Canadiens have depth in draft picks and prospects (especially defensemen) to make an enticing trade offer to the Ducks, but the latter hopes to become a playoff contender this season. They’ll likely want a good, young roster forward in return, meaning the asking price could be Juraj Slafkovsky or Ivan Demidov, which will be non-starters for Montreal.
For all we know, McTavish has spurned offer sheets from rival clubs as his representatives continue to negotiate a new contract with the Ducks, who may have no interest in trading him. Until we hear something different from either side, the expectation is he’ll be re-signed before training camp opens in mid-September.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer speculating the club could be eyeing an eight-year contract extension for Jake Walman. The 29-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his three-year contract ($3.4 million annual cap hit) and will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.
Stauffer suggested Walman might receive an eight-year extension, as that’s something no other club can give him, especially with contract lengths shortening in the next CBA, which goes into effect for the 2026-27 season.
Staples considered it a stretch that the Oilers would offer Walman an eight-year deal, given his age and the fact that performances tend to drop off quickly for defensemen in their mid-30s. He anticipates something in the range of four or five years.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline examined what Adam Fantilli’s next contract might look like. The 20-year-old center is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He enjoyed a solid sophomore season with 31 goals and 54 points in 82 games.
An eight-year offer from the Blue Jackets could be attractive to Fantilli, especially since contract terms will be shortened under the next CBA. However, he could be unwilling to lock himself into a lengthy deal when the salary cap is projected to rise significantly in the coming years.
Portzline suggests a short-term deal, one that ensures Fantilli will be a restricted free agent on completion, might make the most sense. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell indicated he’s open to a bridge contract.
I don’t think that getting rid of injury prone, soft, underperforming Zegras is any reason that McTavish would want to leave Anaheim.
If he wants to leave, it probably has more to do with term/$ on his next contract and/or the way Anaheim is treating him during the current negotiations.
I haven’t read anything about animosity in the negotiations, but if Anaheim truly values him as their 1A or 1B center to build around for the next decade, they are surely dragging this on instead of paying him market value. This negotiation is interesting in that it has been very quiet/tight from both sides.
This summer lull is dragging on…. I almost feel bad for writers who have to come up with new content each day. About 5 weeks until camps get ready to open….. the season can’t start soon enough!
If McTavish is available Hughes will certainly check into it. But I don’t see the Ducks looking to trade him.
As Lyle says, Demidov and Slav are not starters. So are Bolduc and likely Guhle. Reinbacher doubtful as well. Hughes wouldn’t want to weaken one position even to strengthen another. Maybe he’d move Hage. Doubt that Dach, Newhook or Laine would be enough.
Agree on Slav and Demidov Howard, but I would bet $$ that he would for Bolduc or Guhle. My guess is ANA would say no unless MTL sweetened the pot.
Unless McTavish has an attitude problem or something we’re not aware of. And yes, it’s because he’s a C, the limited supply, and how important they are.
Where is Granlund playing? Center or wing? It really doesn’t matter if McTavish wants to be there or not. Ducks hold cards. Not sure they do see him as the C to build around. Carlsson is that guy. Bringing in coach Q and signing Granlund for 3 years at 7m per, not to mention trading for Kreider, sure seems like they’re done rebuilding. My guess is McTavish asking for more than Ducks willing to pay and team is getting a lot of calls. Besides Carlsson, Gauthier and their top 3 LD all rfa next season. My NYR offer, Panarin for McTavish. Ducks become a playoff team and they still have cap flexibility next year.
Most sites have Granlund at RW. Anaheim set up (with McT) probably looks like this:
Gauthier (LW) – Carlsson (C) – Terry (RW)
Vatrano – McT – Granlund
Kreikder – Strome – Killorn
Maybe Granlund plays RW on line 1 and Terry drops to 2, but that is how most alignments are being projected
Hab’s 2nd line C alert!
“According to Maxime Truman of DansLesCoulisses, Dach remains in rehab mode nearly five months after undergoing surgery on his right knee, his second knee operation in 18 months. He’s currently in Edmonton working out with teammate Kaiden Guhle, but has yet to return to full skating or off-season training, fueling doubt about his readiness for the start of the 2025-26 season.”
Better start being concerned, Newhook is being penciled in here for now, and he could not handle it in the past!
Johnny, Dans Les Coullises is absolute garbage. Makes Brendan Kelly look like Red Fisher, the longtime leading Montreal hockey writer. Nothing coming from that source is to be given even the slightest credence.
That being said, who knows what’s happening with Dach. But let’s wait for credible sources before we start panicking. And Hughes certainly knows the truth.
Danslescoulisse and Maxim Truman are clickbait.
Somebody told him he’s training in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle, which doesn’t mean he’s not skating etc, especially when we saw clips of him skating in Brossard this summer.
His scoop is that Dach wasn’t at Suzuki’s wedding, neither were many other players, including Kaiden Guhle.
Habs should be interested in MTavish as the team needs a 2C, you don’t hold a spot for anybody.
If the Habs have any serious intentions, they need to offer Slafkovky 1 for 1.
The Habs would be stronger with McTavish than Slafkovsky, I’m not sure what effect it would have on team culture, but I’d make that trade.
And I would not, HF30. I recognize you are bold and like to suggest big trades, while I am more conservative.
But here is my rationale, based I hope on more than timidity:
Slavkovski is unlikely to become a point per game player but his ceiling is certainly around 30 goals/70 points. That projection is based on the fact that he is about to hit, in game totals, his third year in the league. Talk is talk, but he has stated he knows he needs to play like Brady, and the Habs love his size. A power forward who can score 30 goals is almost as elusive as a solid 2C.
The other day you also suggested Guhle as part of a trade package. The Habs cannot keep trading away D without finally bottoming out in that position. We don’t know how Reinbacher’s knee is, and we haven’t seen him play one NHL game. Even if he blossoms he is not as physical as Guhle is and we have few D who are that. Right now I would rate our D as Tier 1. Why mess with that?
Both these players are on good, long term contracts. McTavish’s is unlikely to to be as team friendly as Skavkovski’s and Guhle’s. And while McTavish would represent a clear upgrade on what the Habs now have as 2C options, his point total and possible ceiling doesn’t scream stellar. Good, not stellar.
I would also say, what’s the hurry? While the Habs are amongst the teams with the best off season improvement (particularly when you factor in Demidov), they are not ready for a deep playoff run.
Given the Ducks’ needs McTavish would cost too much in proven roster players and I do not see the logic of weaken in one (or possibly two) area(s) for a team in the Habs’ position. Which is essentially a rephrasing of what Gorten and Hughes have been saying.
I’ll be happy with some more playoff experience while finding out if Dach is salvageable. Let’s not get into hockey’s version of a reverse mortgage.
If you need a big player it costs a big one.
McTavish at 2C would benefit the Habs more than Slafkovsky at 1W.
Suzuki would automatically get more room on the ice with a serious 2nd line.
McTavish is a L center who faceoff % is as good as Suzuki’s.
I like Slafkovsky, a lot, but he can be replaced on the top line. As it is there are rumblings of Demidov on the 1st line and Bolduc on the 2nd line.
Caufield-Suzuki-Demidov
Laine-McTavish-Bolduc
Newhook-Veleno-Dach
Gallagher-Evans-Anderson
They are almost the same age, one year apart, McTavish supposed contract ask is long term between $7m and $8m, Slafkovsky is long term at $7.6 m
That’s a better offense than.
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Laine-Dach?Newhook?-Demidov
Bolduc-Veleno-Dach?Newhook?
Gallagher-Evans-Anderson
Fortune favors the bold
HabFan you’re being way too complimentary in calling Dans Les Coulisses clickbait. They’re what makes clickbait sick.
Here’s proof that Dach was skating in Brossard last month.
https://x.com/HabsOnReddit/status/1952491554163327302
Don’t have to worry about that when it comes to the Ottawa media, foleyd.
The Sun and Citizen have shown the same article on the Senators in their on-line versions for over a month, and absolutely zilch in their daily print.
While Garrioch used to resort regularly to his “les rumeurs du jour” now it’s become “le rumeur d’été”
Man… even in his picture he looks like he wants out.
Ya Chrisms, looks like an angry young man in that one. Wonder if they take multiple shots and the player gets to pick? Or just one and done and they use it?
I agree, of course the Habs would be interested as would other clubs but the fact is again according to what I read they don’t want to give up anything for the services of Mason, 6ft 1 centre. He would probably be their #1 center but not for Dach, Gallagher, Laine, Newhook, or any 4th liners
Have to agree there, Don O Ray.
They’re saying Montreal’s C position is suspect after Suzuki … if McTavish were dealt – and no strong C coming back – Anaheim would be reduced to Carlsson and in much the same positions the Habs find themselves now – no true 2nd line C.
Neither Strome (who’s 32y/o) nor Poehlng will fill that bill.
Don: the Habs aren’t foolish, and know that to get a good player you have to offer equity in return. If the Habs have reached out on McTavish but not agreed to a trade it is either because they don’t think it’s a fair deal, or they are waiting to move Price’s contract. More likely the first.
I don’t understand the lack of respect for Suzuki. His point total has increased in each of the last 5 years. He has 89 points last year and was a + 13 on a team which had no legit 2C, meaning he had all the hard minutes.
His point totals were the 7th highest for centers in the league. To give that context, the great Patrice Bergeron never hit 80 points in a season. McTavish would not be the 1C ahead of Suzuki.
HF30: Another way of saying fortune favour the bold is hold my beer and watch this.
A lot of comments about McTavish are that Verbeek doesn’t want to trade him, while I’m sure that’s true it is not totally in his control. McTavish can dictate where he wants to play and the minimum salary he’ll accept to do it.
I do have a bit of an inside source about what he wants and it is from a family member of his who works with a friend of mine, and they say that he would like to play closer to home (Carp, ON).
I also think that Mtl has all the pieces needed to acquire him to fill their hole at 2C. Before I detail the trade I think works for both teams I’ll just point out that Mtl has one of the deepest prospect pools currently in the league and they realize that they will probably have to overpay in quantity as well as quality to add a guy like McTavish. That being said they aren’t going to trade away a Slafkovsky for him and create another hole in the lineup, they will deal from a position of strength like when they dealt two 1st round picks and Heineman for Dobson. Also, one thing to point out about Anaheim’s lineup is that they have very few R shot forwards, not even enough to put one on each line, plus they need a first pair RD so Trouba and Gudas can be properly slotted into 2 RD and 3 RD.
So the deal I think works for both teams is:
To Anaheim:
Matheson (if he signs an extension)
Dach
Kapanen
Struble
Conditional Draft Pick
To Montreal:
McTavish
-Matheson would be able to fill the 1 RD slot in Ana and play with LaCombe since he’s already use to playing 20-25 minutes a night for Mtl.
-Kapanen has a floor of 3rd/4th line C and the potential to develop into a 2C.
-Struble is at minimum a 5-6 D but has potential to be a 3-4 (2nd pair) D.
-Dach is a project but still has potential and would be better suited to play RW in Ana (being a R shot).
– The conditional pick could be conditional on the number of games Dach plays. If he plays less than 40 games it would be a 2nd rounder, if he plays 55 it would be a 3rd rounder and if he plays 70 games then it drops to a 4th rounder.
This gives Mtl the 2C now that they’re looking for and it addresses 2 needs for Ana (a top pair D and some R shot fwds). A win-win in my opinion, plus McTavish gets to play come to home.
Except – if McTavish ever did go on the market – there are at least 10 teams that would offer a better package than that. The ONLY one in that group that Anaheim might want is Matheson – and he alone is clearly not enough.
You may be right about the number of teams interested. What teams do you think are interested and what do you think they would offer? I don’t know if there is any other team that has a D-man that can play on the R side in your top pair for 20-25 mintutes that they would be willing to part with along with the prospects/picks that Mtl can offer.
I don’t see any other team having the assets like this:
– top pair RD
– NHL roster fwd with potential for your top 6
– NHL ready C prospect
– Young roster D man
– plus a pick