With NHL training camps opening in less
than two weeks, there’s little sign of progress in contract talks
between the Anaheim Ducks and Mason McTavish.
The lack of a deal for McTavish has
made the 22-year-old center the subject of trade conjecture
throughout the off-season.
Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens of The
Athletic reported on Aug. 21 that the club wanted to sign him and
had exchanged contract proposals with the McTavish camp, but that
hasn’t stopped the speculation about his future in Anaheim.
Several teams believed to be in the
market for a second-line center have been linked to McTavish. They
include the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings,
Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks.
However, Stephens pointed out that the Ducks need the young center as
much as the others.
The Hockey News’ Patrick Present reported on Aug. 28
that there had been little information regarding McTavish’s contract
negotiations. According to Present, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman
claimed the sticking point could be a difference of opinion over
what the average annual salary should be.
RG.Org’s James Murphy cited an NHL
executive claiming there’s no sign of an impasse between the Ducks
and McTavish. He also stated that Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek has not let
it be known that he’s willing to entertain trade offers.
Report: Anaheim Ducks “Not Crazy on a Bridge Deal” for Mason McTavish, Prefer Long-Term Extension
A new development surfaced with the Anaheim Ducks, Mason McTavish, and the ongoing saga of contract extension negotiations.
Meanwhile, rumors abound in Montreal
that the Canadiens are attempting to trade Carey Price’s contract.
The permanently sidelined 38-year-old goaltender is in the final year
of his deal with a $10.5-million cap hit.
In actual salary for this season, Price
will make $7.5 million, of which $5.5 million was paid out as a
signing bonus. For rebuilding teams needing to stay above this
season’s salary-cap minimum of $70.6 million, taking on Price’s cap
hit could be a good deal, especially with insurance picking up most
of the remaining $2 million of his actual salary.
The move would also free up valuable
cap room for the Canadiens. GM Kent Hughes told Sportsnet’s Eric
Engels earlier this week his club is considering all options to
create salary-cap flexibility.
Hughes admitted he’d move Price’s
contract if he can find a trade that makes sense for both teams.
However, he also indicated that he’s fine with keeping the future
Hall of Fame candidate on LTIR this season.
For
action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue,
subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.
Get the latest news and trending stories by
subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
THN.com.
Read the full article here
