Anaheim's Mason McTavish is on Ottawa Senators' radar

Mason McTavish (23) of the Anaheim Ducks tries to break away from Elias Pettersson (25) of the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of a game on April 5, 2025. Photo by RICH LAM /GETTY IMAGES

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Representatives of the 32 teams will arrive in Buffalo for the annual NHL Combine, and, except for the general managers of the two teams competing in the Stanley Cup final, all decision-makers will be on hand to continue to discuss changes for next season.

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Steve Staios, the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Ottawa Senators, will be among those in attendance as interviews with the top prospects for the draft in June get underway and wrap up with physical testing next weekend at the LECOM Harbourcenter.

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With the NHL preparing to host its second straight virtual draft on June 26-27, the annual combine has taken on greater importance because it’s the last opportunity before the annual crapshoot for GMs to sit down face-to-face to discuss possible trade scenarios.

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A league executive told the Ottawa Citizen on Friday that the Senators were actively seeking a top-six forward who could play with top centre Tim Stutzle. That doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but this is something Staios has been trying to acquire for two years.

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The market is thin, and the teams that have them want big returns, but there are options.

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Steve Staios, president of hockey operations and general manager for the Ottawa Senators, speaks to the media at Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by TONY CALDWELL /POSTMEDIA

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Top-six targets

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An interesting name that has surfaced is 23-year-old centre Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

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He is coming off a difficult season with only 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 75 games. McTavish was scratched for two games in the playoffs by Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville, and that has left his future with the organization in doubt. Teams have been calling to see if he’s available.

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McTavish has five years left on a deal that will pay him $7 million U.S. per season through 2030-31. He is linked to the Senators because his father, Dale, was one of the first hires Staios made when he took over in Ottawa in 2023 in a pro scouting role.

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Yes, McTavish is a centre, but he could play wing, or it could give head coach Travis Green the option of moving second-line pivot Dylan Cozens to the wing. McTavish, 23, was the No. 3 overall selection in the 2021 draft and doesn’t have any trade protection.

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It’s believed the Philadelphia Flyers would be among the teams that would show interest in McTavish because they need help in the middle, along with the Montreal Canadiens.

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But the Senators and any other suitors for McTavish would have to be willing to pay a high price, including a first-round pick and someone who can help the Ducks immediately, although the term and money left on McTavish’s contract may lower the asking price a bit.

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Staios, then GM of Michael Andlauer’s Hamilton Bulldogs in the Ontario Hockey League, acquired McTavish in a trade with the Peterborough Petes in 2022.

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League executives say that Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues, who has 178 goals and 200 assists for 378 points in 488 NHL games, is also available, but again the Senators would have to pay a high price. You’re looking at a high-end player, a top prospect and a first-round pick.