The shockwaves from the Brady Tkachuk trade are still vibrating through the nation’s capital, but the Ottawa Senators aren’t sitting still. After sending their captain to the Florida Panthers in a stunning Sunday blockbuster, Ottawa is suddenly flush with draft capital, including three first-round picks. Now, the question every fan is asking: Who replaces the physical heart and soul of this franchise?
According to Ottawa Sun insider Bruce Garrioch, GM Steve Staios is officially going “big-game hunting.” The primary target? Anaheim Ducks budding star forward Mason McTavish.
Garrioch reports that the Sens are desperate to find a legitimate top-six forward to ride shotgun with Tim Stutzle. Let’s be honest: you aren’t finding a prime, 23-year-old game-changer in this summer’s barren free-agent market. You have to trade for one. With the 9th and 25th overall picks burning a hole in their pocket from the Florida deal, the Sens have the ammunition to make Anaheim listen.
But is McTavish really the answer to the massive void left by Tkachuk? As an NHL analyst who has watched this rebuild grind on, bringing in a physical, high-pedigree player who already has ties to the Ottawa area feels less like a rumor and more like a targeted masterplan.
Why Mason McTavish Fits Perfectly With Tim Stutzle
When you look at the Ottawa Senators’ current roster, there’s a glaring need for a player who can do the dirty work in the corners while possessing the elite hockey IQ to keep up with Tim Stutzle. Mason McTavish checks almost every box. He’s big, he plays with an edge, and he has a wicked release. More importantly, Staios knows him perfectly, having acquired him during their days in the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Familiarity breeds comfort in NHL front offices.
But Pat Verbeek and the Anaheim Ducks aren’t just going to hand over a former 3rd overall pick for cheap.
What Will It Cost the Senators to Land McTavish?
My take: The Senators could dangle one of those first-rounders to the Ducks for McTavish, but the Ducks could prefer more than that, such as an established young player.
Giving up the 9th overall pick might be the conversation starter. However, Anaheim is trying to turn a corner of their own. They might prefer more than just futures. Anaheim could demand an established young player off Ottawa’s current NHL roster, rather than rolling the dice on another draft pick. If I’m Ottawa, I try to center the package around the 9th overall pick and a B-tier prospect, but Anaheim will likely push for someone like Shane Pinto or Ridly Greig to sweeten the pot.
Mason McTavish Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 304 | 77 | 104 | 181 | -54 |
| Playoffs | 10 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
Losing Tkachuk is a bitter pill to swallow, but if Staios can leverage those assets to bring McTavish home to the Ottawa Valley, the sting of this past weekend will fade significantly faster. The Senators have the pieces to make this blockbuster happen, and it’s the exact type of aggressive move required to maximize Stutzle’s prime.
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