Anaheim Ducks may face backlash over Mason McTavish contract drama as NHL insider hints at offer sheet risk

The Anaheim Ducks have made some offseason moves, but a looming situation with one of their top young stars could create major turbulence in the front office. Mason McTavish, a cornerstone forward and former third overall draft pick, remains unsigned as a restricted free agent, raising eyebrows around the league.

And now, according to NHL insider Jeff Marek, the 21-year-old could be vulnerable to an offer sheet — a rare but game-changing scenario in NHL negotiations.

Ducks fail to secure Mason McTavish despite ample cap space

Despite entering free agency with significant salary cap flexibility, Anaheim has yet to lock up Mason McTavish or goaltender Lukas Dostal, who is also a restricted free agent. While the team did bring in veteran Mikael Granlund, they missed out on the top-tier free agents and now risk losing homegrown talent due to inaction.Marek revealed the Ducks could be opening the door for rival teams to swoop in. “Both McTavish and Dostal could be subject to getting offer sheets from teams,” he stated. For a rebuilding franchise trying to establish a new identity, letting McTavish walk would be a catastrophic failure in asset management.

Mason McTavish’s breakout season puts Ducks on the clock

McTavish is coming off his most productive NHL campaign yet, racking up 22 goals and 30 assists. His performance made it clear that he’s ready to be a central piece of Anaheim’s long-term core.

Letting him slip through their fingers would not only be a PR disaster — it would be a sign that the front office is still stuck in limbo.As for Dostal, the Ducks traded away longtime starter John Gibson, effectively handling the crease to the young netminder. With expectations growing for both players, fans are growing restless.While Anaheim retains the right to match any offer sheet, the fact that they haven’t closed negotiations suggests uncertainty or hesitation — neither of which instills confidence. “It seems strange that Anaheim would give up on him so soon,” one report noted, referring to McTavish.Also Read: NHL Contract Extension: Golden Knights begin talks to make Jack Eichel highest-paid player in franchise historyIf Anaheim truly values their emerging stars, they’ll need to act fast. Otherwise, another franchise might force their hand — or worse, take the future of their rebuild.