The Anaheim Ducks made headlines on Friday by trading forward Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues in a significant deal centered around two first-round selections for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. This strategic move brought the Ducks the No. 15 pick, which they utilized to select forward Nikita Klepov, alongside the No. 29 pick.
Trade Details and Impact on the Ducks
In a subsequent maneuver, the Ducks packaged the No. 29 pick with a fourth-rounder (No. 117) to the Vegas Golden Knights, successfully moving up to the No. 28 spot where they drafted forward Marcus Nordmark. General manager Pat Verbeek characterized the trade as a challenging decision that was made more manageable by Klepov’s availability. He emphasized that this move allows for greater roster flexibility and is part of a long-term strategy aimed at improving the team’s prospects, even if it may seem like a temporary setback.
Mason McTavish, who is only 23 years old, had an impressive season, recording 41 points, including 17 goals and 24 assists, over 75 games with Anaheim. He also contributed six points (one goal, five assists) in 10 playoff games. McTavish is under contract for five more seasons after signing a six-year deal on September 27, 2025. Originally drafted third overall in 2021, he has accumulated a total of 181 points (77 goals, 104 assists) across 304 regular-season games.
From the perspective of Blues management, McTavish is seen as a high-caliber, two-way forward with a powerful shot, and they expect him to bounce back after a less-than-stellar season. This acquisition is part of their strategy to enhance depth at his position as they strive to return to playoff contention.
In terms of their recent performance, the St. Louis Blues concluded the season with a 37-33-12 record, missing the playoffs by a narrow margin of four points from the second Western Conference wild card. In contrast, the Anaheim Ducks finished the season with a record of 43-33-6, securing third place in the Pacific Division and reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2017-18 season, before being eliminated in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Additionally, earlier on the same day, the Ducks traded defenseman Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2026 draft and forward prospect Anton Wahlberg, further indicating their commitment to rebuilding and strategic development.