The Anaheim Ducks quite literally were the same exact kind of a team the Utah Mammoth were in the 2025-26 season. Both teams were 43-33-6, with several young stars and some veteran talent. Both teams are highlighted by their youth and exciting futures mostly though. The Ducks however may be shopping one of their youngest players after a major down season. And Utah could take a chance at the former first-rounder.
Mason McTavish, former 3rd overall pick, had a terrible season
In the first season of a 6-year, $42 million dollar deal, Mason McTavish had a terrible season. The 3rd overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft just didn't put up good numbers at all. McTavish numbers in 75 games this season were abysmal: 17 G, 24 A, 41 PTS, -15+/-. McTavish, who Anaheim hoped would be their No. 2 center, only put up 41 points, while playing pretty bad defense as well. After 22 goals in the 2024-25 season, McTavish only had 17 this season, highlighting his struggles both offensively and defensively.
Simply put, McTavish was not close to being the offensive force the Ducks were hoping he would be this season. With a 21-year-old center in Leo Carlsson, the Ducks may also be persuaded to shop McTavish for a more experienced or more low-risk kind of player. If the Ducks don't McTavish and he continues to not succeed in the Ducks system, his value could very well plummet if they don't trade him now.
McTavish could still be an intriguing target for Utah though
Firstly, it should be noted that players may thrive in one coach's system and fail in another, so a change of scenery could unlock McTavish's potential. Secondly, McTavish is still just 23-years-old, so he has a little bit more time to figure things out for whatever team he plays on next season. And lastly, the Mammoth are a young team, and if they want to look towards the future instead of trade for a player like Dylan Larkin, McTavish could make a lot of sense.
A Dylan Larkin trade still is intriguing, but having younger players is also very intriguing as well, as it could pay massive dividends in the future. McTavish offensive and defensive failures are very important to note, as Utah doesn't want to pay $7 million a year to a player who cannot figure things out. But McTavish has shown some potential, and it wouldn't be horrible idea to trade for him.
Why a trade for McTavish still seems unlikely
For both the Ducks and Mammoth, a trade still feels quite unlikely. For the Ducks, they probably want an older player, and maybe even a superstar, in return for their young potential star. The Mammoth don't really have that, and they most certainly wouldn't trade a superstar like Clayton Keller in return for McTavish. Meanwhile, for the Mammoth, if Utah is to trade for someone, it is likely not going to be a center.
Utah already has a future superstar in center Logan Cooley, and the need for another center or winger probably isn't there. The Mammoth reportedly have interest in a Detroit Red Wing goalie, and they may seek a more experienced player if they were to trade for a winger or center. It doesn't mean a trade for McTavish isn't impossible, but it isn't likely. Utah is probably more interested in trading for a good goalie than anything else.
If the Ducks do decide to shop McTavish, who they had hoped and probably still do will be their next superstar, the Mammoth shouldn't turn a blind eye. It doesn't seem like the teams even have what each other would want, but it doesn't seem too far-fetched that the Mammoth would want another young player. Hopefully at the very least the Mammoth will make trades to strengthen their team like they have over the last couple of seasons.
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