Anaheim Ducks Secure Mason McTavish Six-Year $42M Extension Ending Holdout

The Anaheim Ducks and center Mason McTavish have agreed on a six-year contract extension worth $42 million, with an average annual value of $7 million, marking a significant commitment to McTavish as a core part of the team's rebuild and future. The deal ends a holdout that saw McTavish miss training camp, which had drawn criticism from Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, but ultimately secured McTavish's role as a probable second-line center under coach Joel Quenneville. McTavish, who was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has emerged as a key player for the Ducks, posting career-best stats in the 2024-25 season with 22 goals and 30 assists, contributing 140 points in 229 NHL games. The contract reflects a compromise between McTavish's camp, which initially sought a longer term and higher salary, and the Ducks' preference for shorter duration and budget considerations, settling on a fair market value deal. Verbeek emphasized McTavish's importance to the team's long-term vision of becoming a consistent playoff contender and eventually a championship team, especially as the Ducks move forward after trading Trevor Zegras. McTavish expressed confidence in the organization's direction and his commitment to helping the team progress toward sustained success and playoff contention.