Mason McTavish's asking price just stunned the NHL: It's WAY too much

Mason McTavish has been the centerpiece of recent trade chatter, but any team hoping to pry him away from the Anaheim Ducks is in for a reality check.

According to multiple sources, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has made it clear that a potential deal would start with a massive return, far beyond the typical package of draft picks and prospects.

One source told RG that the baseline for talks is nothing short of a right-shot, top-four defenseman who projects as a future top-pairing cornerstone.

This essentially rules out rebuilding-style offers and puts the onus on rival GMs to part with an immediate, high-impact NHL player if they want McTavish in their lineup.

The 21-year-old forward, selected third overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, has quickly established himself as one of the Ducks' most valuable assets.

Known for his mix of scoring touch, two-way awareness, and physical edge, McTavish posted 24 goals and 51 points in 2024-25 despite the Ducks struggling offensively for much of the year.

For Verbeek, that combination of production, age, and upside makes McTavish virtually untouchable unless a truly elite piece comes back the other way.

It's the kind of negotiating stance that sends a clear message, Anaheim is in no rush to move their young star and is fully prepared to keep him unless an offer blows them away.

From a league-wide perspective, it's an aggressive but calculated approach. Teams desperate for a top-six center might still make calls, but with such a steep asking price, only a handful could realistically make a pitch that meets Anaheim's demands.

I think this could linger as one of the more fascinating «what if» scenarios of the offseason, especially if Verbeek's phone keeps ringing but no one is willing to meet the price.