As the 2025 off-season continues, the main focus for the Vancouver Canucks remains finding a second-line center. This task has proven to be challenging, as many teams across the league are also looking to improve their center depth. With a shallow free agent pool, the most likely option for the Canucks will be via trade, which could result in the movement of picks, prospects, and players.
Throughout the off-season, a few young centers have been linked to Vancouver. Minnesota Wild's Marco Rossi was continually mentioned leading up to the draft, while Anaheim Ducks' Mason McTavish's name has come up more recently. The question is, which current Restricted Free Agent would be a better fit for the Canucks.
Starting with Rossi, he is a 23-year-old, left-shot center who is listed at 5'9", 182 lbs. Despite being on the smaller side, Rossi has no problem winning net-front battles and can play a physical brand of hockey. Last season with the Wild, the former ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft recorded 60 points in 82 games, while averaging 18:15 of ice time.
One of the reasons Rossi had a 20-point increase this past year was his work on the power play. He recorded seven goals and 16 points with the man advantage compared to two goals and six points during the 2023-24 season. Ultimately, adding a player like Rossi to the second unit could help balance Vancouver's power play while providing the Canucks' coaching staff with a strong option for promotion in case the units need to be adjusted.
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The advantage that Rossi has over McTavish is overall speed. According to NHL EDGE, Rossi ranked in the 69th percentile when it came to 20-22 mph bursts and the 75th percentile in 18-20 mph bursts. As for McTavish, he finished below the 50th percentile in 20-22 mph bursts, while his 416 18-20 mph bursts ranked in the 60th percentile.
As for McTavish, he is a 22-year-old left-shot center who is listed at 6'1", 219 pounds. He has played over 200 games at the NHL level after being the third-overall pick in the 2021 draft. Last season with the Ducks, McTavish recorded 52 points in 76 games while averaging 16:53 of ice time.
In the offensive zone, McTavish thrives in the slot area. He can find open ice and records the majority of his shots from either the top of or between the faceoff dots. McTavish also knows how to utilize his size to his advantage, as, like Rossi, he can consistently win position battles against defenders.
Outside of size, one of the advantages that McTavish has over Rossi is that he shoots the puck more consistently. Despite playing six fewer games, McTavish had 44 more shots and a more diverse shot location according to NHL EDGE. McTavish also has an advantage when it comes to faceoff, as he posted a 50.7 win percentage compared to Rossi's 46.8.
Ultimately, both Rossi and McTavish possess traits that could be beneficial to Vancouver's roster. Each scored at least 20 goals last season and project as long-term, second-line center options. Considering all the information above, the player who would be the better fit on the Canucks roster is McTavish.
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