A whirlwind of speculation has enveloped the Montreal Canadiens this summer, with one name rising above the rest: Mason McTavish. As rumors swirl and insiders scramble for answers, fans are left wondering whether the Canadiens are on the verge of pulling off one of the most surprising moves in recent memory.

The front office, led by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, has been quietly monitoring the situation, but until now, the biggest question has remained unanswered—what would it actually take to bring McTavish to Montreal?

Behind closed doors, negotiations have reached a critical point, with whispers of a contract that could change the game entirely.

The numbers being discussed are eye-opening, and the implications for both teams could be enormous. Yet, despite mounting pressure and a clear desire from McTavish to move forward, the Anaheim Ducks have yet to make a decisive move, leaving everyone puzzled.

Is Montreal about to land a top-tier centerman for a surprisingly reasonable price? Or is there more to this story than meets the eye?

As details begin to emerge, the hockey world is holding its breath, eager to see how this high-stakes drama will unfold. Read on to discover the latest revelations and what they mean for the Canadiens’ future.

Dec 9, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) plays the puck against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

We have a major development in the Mason McTavish file, a case that has sparked a lot of chatter around the Montreal Canadiens this summer.

We recently had confirmation that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are monitoring this file closely, but what we were really waiting for were more details about the infamous price to pay (to bring McTavish to Montreal)..

And now we have our answer!

Mason McTavish is ready to sign a Nick Suzuki-type contract

Wow! Via an offer sheet, he actually wouldn’t even cost that much to acquire.

If he’s given a contract similar to Nick Suzuki’s, according to the official rules, it would therefore cost 1 first-round pick + 1 second-round pick + 1 third-round pick as compensation.

In reality, it’s even better!

If McTavish is ready to sign immediately for less money than Nick Suzuki, why haven’t the Ducks signed him yet?

It’s really strange..

Indeed, according to the well-regarded David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period), “the Ducks don’t want to offer him more than $5.5M per year over five years.. while McTavish, on his side, would like to sign a seven- or eight-year deal with an annual salary between $7M and $8M.”

At that price, for a centerman like McTavish, I’d do it without hesitation!

I honestly don’t understand what the Ducks are waiting for!

Definitely a situation to keep an eye on.