Anaheim Ducks, Mason McTavish agree on six-year extension - ESPN

The Anaheim Ducks and restricted free agent center Mason McTavish agreed to a six-year contract, the team announced on Saturday. An NHL source told ESPN that the extension, which ends a contentious negotiation, is worth $42 million.

McTavish, the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, is entering his fifth season. He had his most productive season in 2024-25 with 22 goals and 30 assists in 76 games.

His new contract carries a $7 million average annual value against the salary cap. That matches Troy Terry and Mikael Granlund for highest cap hits among Ducks forwards. But it's a lower AAV than the second contract signed by Buffalo defenseman Owen Power ($8.35 million, signed in 2023) and Seattle forward Matty Beniers ($7,142,857, signed in 2024), who were selected right ahead of McTavish in the 2021 draft.

«Mason is a key part of our team, and we're excited to reach a long-term agreement that reflects his importance to our future,» Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a team statement. «He's a highly skilled, physical, and competitive player who plays the game the right way. Mason has already made a significant impact at a young age, and we're confident he'll continue to grow into a top player as we build toward sustained success.»

McTavish, 22, was called out by Verbeek for not reporting to Anaheim's training camp earlier this month, as contract talks grinded on.

«It's disappointing that he's not here, obviously. We have virtually a whole new coaching staff, and the group is really excited like I've never seen before,» Verbeek said, via the Associated Press, in reference to new coach Joel Quenneville. «There's a new system that's getting implemented. There's a lot of things to learn, and it takes a lot of reps to