The Anaheim Ducks have solidified their commitment to their young core by signing center Mason McTavish to a six-year, $42 million contract extension. The deal, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million, will keep McTavish in Anaheim through the 2030-31 season.
The announcement was made on Saturday, September 27, 2025, putting an end to a brief contract stalemate. McTavish, a restricted free agent (RFA), had not reported to the Ducks' training camp as negotiations continued. He even spent time skating with the OHL's Ottawa 67s to stay in shape. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the primary sticking point was the term of the contract, with the Ducks preferring a long-term commitment rather than a bridge deal.
"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," said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. "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, who was drafted third overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft, also expressed his enthusiasm about the extension. "Today is an exciting day for me and my family to commit my long-term future to the Anaheim Ducks," he stated. "I believe in the direction of this organization and the group we have in the locker room. We're building something special and I want to help this team take the next step toward becoming a consistent playoff contender and, ultimately, a championship team".
The 22-year-old is coming off a strong 2024-25 season where he set career highs in goals (22), assists (30), points (52), and shots (180). In 76 games, he also led the Ducks in goals and power-play goals (6), and finished second in scoring. Throughout his 229-game NHL career with Anaheim, McTavish has recorded 60 goals and 80 assists for 140 points.
McTavish made his NHL debut on October 13, 2021, against Winnipeg, becoming the youngest Duck to score a goal at 18 years, 256 days old. In his first full NHL season (2022-23), he tallied 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 80 games, ranking fourth in Ducks history for single-season rookie points.
With the departure of Trevor Zegras in the offseason, McTavish is now expected to take an even larger role as a leader among the Ducks' young players. Along with players like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Olen Zellweger, McTavish is part of a core the Ducks hope will lead them back to contention.
The Ducks finished the previous season sixth in the Pacific Division and have missed the playoffs for the past eight years. General Manager Pat Verbeek has stated his expectation for the team to make the playoffs this season, adding veterans Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund to the roster.
This signing leaves the Ducks with approximately $13.5 million in projected cap space for the 2025-26 season. Notably, the $7 million AAV aligns with what appears to be a philosophy by General Manager Pat Verbeek to not have any player earning more than $7 million per year, with the exception of Jacob Trouba, who was acquired via trade. Troy Terry and Mikael Granlund also have a $7 million AAV.
The Anaheim Ducks open the regular season on October 9 in Seattle.
