Sens on the Hunt for Offensive Firepower
Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios is making moves — or at least making calls — as the organization looks to add a proven top-six forward ahead of next season. According to NHL sources cited by the Ottawa Citizen, one name that has come up in those conversations is Mason McTavish, the 22-year-old centre currently under contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
It's the kind of rumour that gets Senators fans buzzing, and for good reason.
Who Is Mason McTavish?
If you're not already familiar with McTavish, here's the quick rundown: he was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, a big, skilled centre who's been developing steadily in Anaheim. At 6-foot-1 and just entering the prime years of his career, he's exactly the profile of player Ottawa has been looking for — a physical presence with hands who can play in all situations.
Last season, McTavish posted respectable numbers for a rebuilding Ducks squad, and at his age, there's still plenty of upside. For a team like Ottawa that is trying to push into legitimate playoff contention, adding a player like McTavish to a lineup that already includes Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk would be a significant upgrade.
What Would It Take?
Here's where things get complicated. Anaheim isn't a team that needs to trade McTavish — they're in their own rebuild and he's a core piece. If the Ducks were to move him, it would cost Ottawa dearly in prospects or picks, and the Senators' prospect pool, while deep, isn't endless.
Staios has made it clear since taking over the GM role that he wants to be aggressive but smart. Overpaying for a rental is not the plan. But a long-term acquisition of a player McTavish's age and caliber? That's a different conversation.
The Bigger Picture for Ottawa
The Senators have been knocking on the playoff door for a couple of seasons now. The pieces are in place up front with Tkachuk and Stützle, and the backend has improved with recent additions. But the team has lacked that reliable second-line centre who can take pressure off the top duo and deliver in big moments.
McTavish fits that mold almost perfectly.
Of course, rumours are rumours until they're not. Staios is almost certainly calling about more than one player — that's just how the GM market works in the lead-up to a busy offseason. But the fact that McTavish's name is surfacing publicly suggests there's at least genuine interest on Ottawa's side.
Sens Fans: Stay Tuned
The NHL offseason is just getting started, and with the expansion draft, free agency, and trade season all coming up, there's plenty of time for the Senators' roster to look very different by the time training camp opens in the fall.
For now, Ottawa fans can dream about what a Tkachuk–McTavish–Stützle core might look like. It's a compelling vision — and apparently, the front office is thinking along the same lines.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
