NHL Speculations: Ducks grapple with McTavish’s deal, Canadiens consider Price’s contract trade | Times of India Coverage

As the NHL season approaches with training camps opening in less than two weeks, two key storylines currently dominating the hockey industry involve the Montreal Canadiens’ potential plan to trade Carey Price’s deal and the halted contract negotiations of Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish.

Reports suggest that the lack of a deal for McTavish has caused the 22-year-old center to be the subject of trade conjectures throughout the off-season. Conversely, the Canadiens are exploring prudent cap maneuvers. Below, we delve into these rumors in detail.

### Anaheim Ducks struggle with Mason McTavish’s new deal

The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly facing difficulties reaching an agreement on a new contract for young forward Mason McTavish. Speculations suggest that negotiations between the team and the 22-year-old have slowed primarily due to disagreement over player’s salary. McTavish, a significant player considered to be one of Anaheim’s most important, was drafted third overall in 2021. His unsigned status has reportedly attracted interest from the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Vancouver Canucks. Still, Ducks management insists they need the young center. As training camp approaches, the Ducks are pressured to resolve the salary deal.

Looking to the future, McTavish is perceived as a potential star in Anaheim’s upcoming games, making retaining him on the team’s roster a high priority.

### The Canadiens are trying to find a way to trade Carey Price’s contract

On the other hand, the Montreal Canadiens are believed to be exploring options to transfer Carey Price’s contract to create more salary-cap flexibility. Price, a former star goaltender, hasn’t played in recent years due to injury but still has a $10.5 million cap hit in the final year of his deal. Most of his salary has already been paid, with insurance expected to cover most of what remains.

This contract is appealing to teams in a rebuilding phase looking to meet the NHL’s minimum spending requirement. However, Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes has purportedly conveyed that he is open to trading the contract for a suitable offer. Nonetheless, Hughes is fine with keeping Price on long-term injured reserve if no favorable opportunities arise.

For Montreal, this contract move could free up cap space, thereby providing more flexibility to incorporate younger talent in the future.