During the dog days of the 2025 NHL off-season, Mason McTavish has become the subject of growing trade rumors. The 22-year-old Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] center is an RFA coming off his entry-level contract, and the lack of any hint of a new deal has prompted some pundits to speculate [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-catching-up-on-the-ducks-devils-red-wings-and-canadiens] about his future in Anaheim and possible trade or offer-sheet destinations. Earlier this month, The Hockey News' Patrick Present cited multiple reports [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/reports-mason-mctavish-prefers-a-long-term-contract-while-pat-verbeek-prefers-a-bridge-where-talks-stand] claiming the Ducks sought a bridge contract, while the McTavish camp preferred a long-term deal. Meanwhile, Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon listed the Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings], Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes], Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks], Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames], Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] and Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] as potential trade landing spots [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/possible-trade-destinations-for-ducks-mason-mctavish/] for the young center. Eric Stephens of The Athletic brought some clarity [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6566342/2025/08/21/anaheim-ducks-mctavish-verbeek-zegras-colangelo/] to the situation this week, reporting Thursday that the Ducks want to re-sign McTavish. He said they see him as an important part of their lineup, indicating the two sides have “gone back and forth” on short- and long-term contract proposals. Stephens claimed the Ducks may not wish to go to the maximum eight-year contract. However, they're not just looking at a bridge deal. He acknowledged the trade rumors swirling about McTavish and which teams need a No. 2 center but pointed out MacTavish is equally important to the Ducks in that role. NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Blues' Kyrou And Penguins [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e1e9096f-f5b3-4117-adfa-1d612b684c5b.webp] NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Blues' Kyrou And Penguins St. Louis Blues right winger Jordan Kyrou became the subject of trade rumors this spring following his club's first-round playoff elimination. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-blues-kyrou-and-penguins] Speaking of free agents, Marco Rossi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-s-marco-rossi-continues-to-have-big-offseason-up-14-pounds] and the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] are getting closer to a new contract. On Thursday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reported [https://x.com/RussoHockey/status/1958534597748142523] the two sides had made “significant progress” toward a potential signing in the coming days. He believes it's likely to be a short-term “bridge” contract. Like McTavish, the 23-year-old Rossi is an RFA after completing his entry-level contract. Last month, Russo reported the young center had rejected [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6515489/2025/07/28/wild-burning-questions-kaprizov-rossi/] a five-year, $25-million offer and a two-year proposal at just under $5 million annually, preferring a long-term deal worth between $6 million and $7 million. Russo had indicated that Rossi was reluctant to sign a short-term contract, fearful of being stuck in a deal that could end up being below market value. RG.org's James Murphy reported sources claiming the Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks] and Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/kraken-interested-in-wild-forward-might-cost-the-jared-mccann] were showing interest [https://rg.org/news/hockey/nhl-source-kraken-canucks-circle-back-marco-rossi-trade] in acquiring Rossi. However, Russo's report suggests the young center will be staying with the Wild for the foreseeable future. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com. Correction: Reports said McTavish wants a long-term deal, while the Ducks want a bridge deal.
