The Flyers can find other players who better fit their needs at center. (Photo: Kyle Ross, Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2755b75b-8749-4ce3-a9be-05f3d9c1bb3b.jpeg] The Flyers can find other players who better fit their needs at center. (Photo: Kyle Ross, Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] are still well positioned to execute a blockbuster trade for a top center this summer, but one popular potential trade target on the Anaheim Ducks isn't worth all the hype. Ducks center Mason McTavish, a 22-year-old pending restricted free agent and former No. 3 pick, has been a popular name amongst Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-mock-draft-expert-predicts-philly-s-best-case-scenario] fans looking for centers the team can potentially trade for this offseason. The Switzerland-born center just posted 22 goals and 52 points in his third full season in the NHL while winning greater than 50% of his faceoffs for the second season in a row. To this point, word on a new contract from the Ducks has been quiet, opening the door for the Flyers to strike. But is that a good idea? If he is to sign with another team this offseason, Evolving-Hockey projects [https://evolving-hockey.com/stats/contract_projections/?_inputs_&con_season=%2220242025%22&con_team=%22ANA%22&con_pos=%22All%22&con_status=%22All%22&con_agent=%22Yes%22&con_period=%221%3A%20July%201st%20-%20July%2031st%22&con_signs_with=%22UFA%3A%20Same%2C%20RFA%3A%20Different%22&con_8yr=%22On%22&dir_con=%22Contract%20Projection%20Tables%22&con_player=null&con_cap=%2295500000%22] McTavish's next contract to be a six-year pact worth $6.683 million annually. For the sake of comparison, reports have indicated that Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-trade-rumors-wild-not-dying-to-deal-marco-rossi-away] is looking for a seven-year deal worth something in the range of $7 million annually. At 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, McTavish is bigger and heavier than Rossi, which is the crux of his appeal to Flyers fans and, presumably, the Flyers themselves. The 22-year-old dished out 70 hits this season and blocked 31 shots, while the smaller Rossi blocked 41 shots and made 62 hits. Plus, Rossi has scored 45 goals and 100 points over the last two seasons, while McTavish has just 60 goals and 140 total points across his three full NHL seasons. McTavish has been a decent driver of offense but has benefitted from good finishing along the way. (Evolving-Hockey) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/809d3b4b-652c-4881-bb45-66a11a9694e3.png] McTavish has been a decent driver of offense but has benefitted from good finishing along the way. (Evolving-Hockey) To be clear, both McTavish and Rossi would be upgrades on the current state of the Flyers' center depth, but preferring McTavish to Rossi for a perceived increase of physicality is just a myth. The smaller Rossi has been just as effective and physical at effectively the same price point, and it helps that NHL teams are aware of the public struggle between the Austrian center and the Wild. McTavish, on the other hand, may not necessarily be for sale and would cost more assets in a prospective Flyers trade on top of the salary. Another thing to note is that the Flyers, as a rush-based team, are not the greatest fit for McTavish. The 2021 No. 3 overall pick is one of the slowest skaters in the NHL, placing beneath the 50th percentile in top speed, 22+ MPH bursts, and 20-22 MPH bursts, according to NHL EDGE [https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/20242025-regular-8482745]. McTavish placed in the 60th percentile in 18-20 MPH bursts. In Philadelphia, McTavish could always be paired with players like Owen Tippett or Travis Konecny, but the differing playstyles and skillsets could supersede each other and alter the alchemy of the forward group. Plus, adding another slow center and changing things up may take away from the chemistry Flyers captain Sean Couturier had Konecny and Matvei Michkov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/how-did-matvei-michkov-fare-in-calder-trophy-voting]. A lack of speed down the middle was already a weakness for the Flyers, and with the assets McTavish might bring in for the Ducks, Danny Briere [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/revisiting-gm-danny-briere-s-first-flyers-trade-2-years-later] and Co. are best suited looking elsewhere for the center of their future. For moreĀ Flyers news [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-trade-rumors-3-rangers-trade-targets-that-make-sense-for-philadelphia]Ā and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News and like our Facebook page. Follow us onĀ š¯•¸:Ā @ByJonBailey [http://twitter.com/byjonbailey],Ā Ā @TheHockeyNews [https://x.com/TheHockeyNews]
