Is it October yet? 

Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 1, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player. 

Today's player profile is forward Jonathan Marchessault. 

24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series 

Adam Wilsby

Jordan Oesterle

Andreas Engulund

Cole Smith

Michael McCarron

Justin Barron

Zachary L’Heureux

Matthew Wood

Nick Blankenburg

Brady Martin

Michael Bunting

Justus Annunen

Nick Perbix

Luke Evangelista

Nic Hague

Erik Haula

Fedor Svechkov

Brady Skjei

As an NHL prospect 

From Cap-Rouge, Quebec, Marchessault spent his four seasons with the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL. 

playing in 254 regular-season games from 2007 to 2011, scoring 98 goals and 239 points. In his final junior season, 2010-11, he scored 40 goals and 55 assists for 95 points in 68 games. He was a First-Team All-Star that season. 

In the postseason, he played 52 games, recording 54 points. The Remparts' best finish in Marchessault's time with the team was the 2011 playoffs, where they got as far as league semifinals, losing to Gatineau in seven games. 

Professional career 

Marchessault went undrafted, signing with the Connecticut Whale, the New York Rangers' AHL affiliate at the time, in 2011. During the 2011-12 season, Marchessault scored 64 points in 76 games and was named to the AHL All-Star Game. 

The following season, Marchessault signed an entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing in two games during the season. He spent nearly the entirety of the season with the Springfield Falcons, scoring 67 points in 74 games and earning a second straight AHL All-Star Game bid. 

Marchessault returned to Springfield for the 2013-14 season, playing in 56 games and scoring 41 points before he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the deadline. He'd finish the season with the Syracuse Crunch, scoring 15 points in 21 games. 

The following season, he played two games in Tampa, scoring his first NHL goal and earning a point in each contest. Marchessault played 68 games with the Crunch, scoring 67 points and earning the third AHL All-Star Game bid of his career. 

The 2015-16 season was when Marchessault began to see more NHL minutes. He played 47 games with the Lightning, scoring 18 points. That offseason, he signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers and followed with a 51-point season in 2016-17. 

Marchessault moved again in the 2017 offseason, as he was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights eighth overall in the Expansion Draft. The move to Vegas would end up skyrocketing Marchessault's stock as a player in the league. 

In seven seasons with the Golden Knights, Marchessault played in 514 games, recording 193 goals and 225 assists for 418 points. In his first season with the Golden Knights, he recorded a career high of 75 points in 77 games. 

During the 2023-24 season, Marchessault scored a career-best 42 goals. And that's only his regular-season stats.

In the playoffs, Marchessault recorded 36 goals and 39 assists for 75 points in 95 playoff games in six postseason appearances, which included the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, 2021 Western Conference Finals, 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals and the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. 

In 2023, Marchessault won the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smyth Trophy, scoring 25 points in 22 games as the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in five games. 

During the 2024 offseason, Marchessault became a free agent after the Golden Knights couldn't settle on a new contract. He'd sign a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Nashville Predators. 

Marchessault saw a 13-point dip from the previous year during the 2024-25 season, scoring 56 points in 78 games.  

What role will he play this season? 

The Predators are likely expecting Marchessault to stay consistent. 

56 points in 78 games isn't bad considering the Predators were the worst scoring team in the NHL, but it's the whole "what if" of it all and how good Marchessault would've been last season if the Predators had a decent team. 

This is still a player in the prime of his career and last season put some fog over that. The Predators have him on a long contract, which will expire when he is 38 years old, but he's a late bloomer who's still playing very well. 

It's worth noting that since 2021, he has had fewer than 55 points in a season, peaking at 66 points in 76 games during the 2021-22 season. Funnily enough, the Golden Knights had missed the playoffs that season. 

Marchessault was a player who didn't take a huge dive last year and should be thrown into that first line mix. Alongside Ryan O'Reilly and Filip Forsberg, two other players who were also positives coming out of last season, this is the line that should lead the Predators' offensive charge. 

The Predators wanted a scorer when they signed Marchessault and considering last year's situation, they got one. Establishing consistency across the entire roster will enable Marchessault's game to truly flourish. 

EA Sports revealed the highest-rated players in NHL 26 this week.

Not only did the video games giant reveal the ratings for the top players by position, but it also listed the top 10 players on each NHL team. That means ratings are known for 320 players so far, with Calgary Flames right winger Martin Pospisil sitting 320th, with an overall rating of 80.

Here are the top 10 players in the game, some standout stats from NHL Edge and whether they improved from this time last year. For more NHL 26 coverage, check out The Hockey News' dedicated gaming site.

Honorable Mentions

Six players have a 94 rating, but EA Sports did not give them the same ranking. The first tie involves 38 players at No. 99 with an 87 rating.

That means Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov sit 11th, 12th and 13th, respectively, despite having an overall rating that's tied with eighth place.

Kaprizov is the highest-rated left winger in NHL 26, while Eichel and Matthews are ranked sixth and seventh among centers.

10. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

NHL 26 Rating: 94
NHL 25 Rating: 93

At 32, Hellebuyck's rating continues to increase. That 93-overall rating in NHL 25 was two notches higher from his 91 overall in NHL 24.

His 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and eight shutouts last season were career highs. He's won the Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy in each of the last two seasons, and he was voted the Hart Trophy winner in 2024-25.

Hellebuyck posted at least a .900 save percentage in 44 games last year, five more than Andrei Vasilevskiy in second place. Yes, he started 62 games, but recording at least a .900 SP in 71 percent of his starts also led NHL netminders.

9. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins

NHL 26 Rating: 94
NHL 25 Rating: 95

Pastrnak's rating takes the slightest dip after exceeding 100 points for the third straight season. His 43 goals last season were down from 47 in 2023-24 and 61 in 2022-23, and his 106 points fell from 110 and 113.

The right winger's 94-overall rating is a whopping 10 points higher than Boston's second-best forwards in the game, Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha, with 84 ratings. If the retooling club hung onto Brad Marchand, they'd at least have another forward with a top-50 rating.

Pastrnak led NHL forwards in slapshots last season, with 68, scoring on five of them. He had a maximum shot speed of 98.03 miles per hour, which backs up his 93 slapshot-power rating.

8. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL 26 Rating: 94
NHL 25 Rating: 94  

Crosby's still got it.

The Penguins captain cracked 90 points for the third straight year and the ninth time in his 20 NHL seasons, which doesn't even include some outstanding performances in years shortened by injury, the 2012-13 lockout or COVID-19.

At 38 years old, Crosby skated 264.12 miles (425.04 kilometers) last season, which ranked him in the 97th percentile of NHLers. That's longer than the distance from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh to Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

Crosby ranked 15th in assists last year and continues to be an elite playmaker, reflected by his 95 passing rating.

7. Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

NHL 26 Rating: 95
NHL 25 Rating: 94 

Barkov's rating gets a boost after winning the Stanley Cup again.

The Panthers captain received a 95 passing rating after putting up 51 assists in 67 games and another 16 in 23 playoff contests. Barkov has exceeded 50 helpers in each of the last three seasons, despite not playing more than 73 regular-season games each year.

Barkov is known for his elite two-way ability, winning the Selke Trophy in the last two seasons and three times overall. His offensive and defensive awareness ratings are both 96, and he possesses an X-factor ability in NHL 26 called "Quick Pick," which enhances his interceptions and defensive deflections.

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6. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

NHL 26 Rating: 95
NHL 25 Rating: 95

Makar won the Norris Trophy for the second time in his career last season, and he finished a career-high sixth place in Hart Trophy voting.

The 26-year-old's 94 speed and 95 acceleration ratings are no surprise. He had a top skating speed of 23.63 mph last season, which ranked seventh among NHL defensemen. He did rank first in speed bursts of 20-plus mph, with 206, and 22-plus mph, with 27.

Makar also deserves credit for his goal-scoring. He was the first D-man to score 30 goals in a season since Mike Green in 2008-09, and he took 33 shots of at least 90 mph, which are the eighth-most among blueliners.

5. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks

NHL 26 Rating: 95
NHL 25 Rating: 95  

Hughes' 94 acceleration rating is lower than Makar's 95, but the Canucks captain has a higher speed rating, at 96.

Hughes had only 115 speed bursts over 20 mph and seven over 22 mph, which are still among the most in the NHL. But his top speed of 24.56 mph is the fastest among defensemen and second-fastest among all players, next to Avalanche left winger Miles Wood, who reached 24.82 mph.

The 25-year-old had 16 goals and 60 assists for 76 points in 68 games last season, missing time due to injury. He also has the edge over Makar in the passing rating, but the latter has higher ratings in slapshot and wrist shot power.

4. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL 26 Rating: 96
NHL 25 Rating: 95    

Kucherov was tied with Nathan MacKinnon for recording the most assists last season, with 84. But over the previous three seasons combined, nobody's had more helpers than Kucherov. If his 267 assists in that span were points, he'd be tied with Lightning teammate Brayden Point in 13th place.

As a result, he has a massive 98 passing rating in NHL 26.

The 32-year-old's top shot speed of 96.28 was ranked in the 97th percentile. His 17 goals in high-danger areas ranked in the 93rd percentile, and his 10 goals from mid-range were in the 90th percentile.

Kucherov is the highest-rated right winger in the video game.

3. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

NHL 26 Rating: 96
NHL 25 Rating: 95

The top three players in NHL 26 are centers, and even still, Draisaitl has only the second-highest rating among Oilers players.

He does have a higher slapshot and wrist shot power than that "other elite Oilers center" after winning the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy last season. Draisaitl recorded 52 goals, seven more than Leafs right winger William Nylander in second place.

Draisaitl has exceeded 50 goals in three of the last four seasons and 100 points in six of the last seven seasons – although getting 84 points in a 56-game year in 2020-21 is masterly.

The 29-year-old scored 25 times in high-danger areas (99th percentile) and 14 from mid-range (97th). That said, his top shot speed was 87.42 mph, which is in the 62nd percentile.

2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

NHL 26 Rating: 96
NHL 25 Rating: 96

Remember how Crosby skated about 264 miles last season?

Well, his fellow Nova Scotian ranked first among forwards in skating distance, with 291.89 miles (469.73 km). That's roughly the driving distance from Ball Arena in Denver to... Dull Center, Wyo. Go figure.

MacKinnon also had the most speed bursts of at least 20 mph among forwards last season, with 547. He has a 98 acceleration rating in NHL 26 as a result. 

The 29-year-old has the second-most points of all NHLers in the last four seasons, with 455 in 297 games. After winning the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2023-24, he finished fourth in Hart voting in 2024-25.

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1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

NHL 26 Rating: 97
NHL 25 Rating: 97

McDavid remains the best of the best.

The Oilers captain actually finished 10th in Hart Trophy voting last season, which is the lowest he's placed since his rookie campaign, when he didn't receive a vote.

He still had 100 points in 67 games despite suffering an ankle injury earlier in the year and a lower-body injury in March. His top skating speed last season was 23.97 mph, a small decrease from the 24.19 mph burst he recorded in 2023-24, which ranked second among players that year. His acceleration and speed ratings are 97 and 98, respectively.

McDavid has the most points in the last three seasons, with 385 in 225 games. In the last five seasons, he has 613 points, 79 more than Draisaitl in second place. His passing rating is 98, while his slapshot and wrist shot power ratings are 91 and 92. 

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Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was active in both the trade market and free agency this offseason, not only unloading Vladimir Tarasenko but acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks.

Additionally, the Red Wings inked free agent forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, along with defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic and Ian Mitchell. 

Early on Thursday afternoon, the Red Wings released the uniform numbers that all of the above new players will be donning this season. 

As he's done in multiple cities throughout his NHL career, van Riemsdyk will be wearing No. 21; it was last worn by Auston Czarnik during the 2023-24 season. Gibson will keep his No. 36 he wore for the entirety of his tenure with the Anaheim Ducks; it was most recently worn by Christian Fischer from 2023 through earlier this year when he was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Appleton will also be keeping his No. 22 that he previously wore with the Winnipeg Jets. The most recent Red Wings player to wear No. 22 was depth forward Matt Luff in 2022-23. 

Bernard-Docker will be the first Red Wings player since Taro Hirose to wear No. 25, while Hamonic will be the first No. 52 in a Red Wings uniform since Brogan Rafferty in 2024; it was also recently worn by Jonatan Berggren and, for over a decade, Jonathan Ericcson. 

New guys, new numbers! pic.twitter.com/JwRS11Ts9w

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 28, 2025

Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has already signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell so far this offseason, but another new name has been added to Detroit's blue line. 

Gibson immediately slots into the top spot on Detroit's goaltending depth chart, giving Cam Talbot, who was signed last offseason, to settle comfortably into the backup role. 

van Riemsdyk could potentially play a top-six role with the Red Wings, while Appleton is expected to slot in on Detroit's third or fourth line. 

Bernard-Docker, Hamonic and Mitchell will all be competing for a roster spot with one another in Training Camp. 

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It's time to discuss more big NHL and hockey topics on The Big Show.

Who Will Be The NHL's Biggest Star In 10 Years? by The Big Showundefined

Here's what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode:

0:00: Is it only a matter of time before Connor McDavid re-signs in Edmonton? 

08:50: Who will be the biggest star in the NHL 10 years from now?

12:20: Which NHL team has the best in-arena experience?

17:15: Which second-year coach is on the hot seat?

21:45: Which newly hired coach will have the most success?

28:30: Will Alex Ovechkin break Gordie Howe's age-40 goals record?

29:50: Will the Washington Capitals be able to replicate their success from last season?

33:00: Which of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest assets is most likely to be dealt?

36:50: Which throwback jersey would you most want to see return?

37:45: Which player do you expect to fall off this upcoming season?

38:50: Who is one player not enough people are hyping up going into next season?

41:00: Should the NHL start the season earlier or end the season earlier when it goes to 84 games?

42:30: Picking Team Canada’s 13th forward for the 2026 Olympics

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

The Minnesota Wild drafted five players for the 2020 NHL Draft. Marco Rossi, who was taken ninth overall, is the only player still with the team.

Daemon Hunt was taken in the third round of that draft with pick No. 65. He played 13 NHL games with the Wild and 125 in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Iowa Wild.

He was eventually traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with a first round pick in the 2025, a third and fourth round picks in 2026 and a second round pick in 2027 for defenseman David Jiricek.

Hunt, 23, recorded two goals and 14 points in 48 AHL games for the Cleveland Monsters during the 2024-25 season. He has now signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Blue Jackets for the 2025-26 season.

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The London Knights and Kitchener Rangers are two OHL organizations that are regarded as having the most “pull” in player recruitment. However, there is another team in the Western Conference that is putting its name into that ring: the Saginaw Spirit.

Saginaw has recently been able to pull high-end junior players from other leagues to wear their uniform. Examples: former USNTDP forward Kristian Epperson, who was a dynamic forward for them last season. San Jose Sharks top prospect Igor Chernyshov. Although he was only around for a quarter of the season last year, his 55 points in 23 games gave the Spirit fans lots of excitement down the stretch. Lastly, for the upcoming season, the organization was able to secure a couple of talented forwards from the USHL: Egor Barabanov and Nikita Klepov. 

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Now, another USHL forward is leaving America’s top junior league to play in the OHL, and his bloodlines run deep in Slovak hockey. 

Miroslav Satan Jr. has signed a Standard Player Agreement with the Saginaw Spirit. The organization secured his rights via the league entry waivers back on Aug. 21. He had spent the 2024-25 season playing in the USHL for the Sioux Falls Stampede and Omaha Lancers. Satan Jr. struggled in his first season playing in a different country — played his minor hockey in Slovakia — recording only four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in 45 games. He did get the opportunity to play at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Junior Championship for his country and should be a shoo-in to return to the 2026 event later this year. 

We have signed Miroslav Šatan, to an OHL Standard Player Agreement.

DETAILS: https://t.co/8NUTg0OOVHpic.twitter.com/cUoDdIIBuy

— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) August 27, 2025

The new 6-foot-7 Spirit forward towers over his father, who had an incredible playing career both in the NHL and internationally. His dad is none other than Miroslav Satan, the current President of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation. 

Satan was inducted into the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019, following an international career which saw him win gold at the World Championship and MVP in 2002, two WC silver medals, and one WC bronze. Additionally, he was named to the World Championship’s All-Star Team twice (2000 and 2002), after finishing the tournament as its leading scorer. Satan is Slovakia’s all-time leader in games played, goals, assists, and points at the World Championship. 

Vancouver Canucks Prospect Riley Patterson Dealt From Barrie To Niagara Following Trade Request As the Barrie Colts opened up their training camp on Monday, the organization had someone missing, and it was a significant name on the roster who decided to stay home. 

The great Slovak forward won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. Satan is one of the greatest stories of a player who went late in the NHL draft. He was picked 111th overall in the fifth round in 1993 by the Edmonton Oilers. He played in the NHL for 14 seasons, stringing together 735 points (363 goals, 372 assists) in 1,050 games. 

His son, just like his dad, was a late pick, selected near the end of the 2024 NHL Draft, 212th overall by the Washington Capitals. Washington saw one of their prospects leave the USHL for the OHL last season, Ilya Protas, who was a dominant presence on a nightly basis for the Windsor Spitfires. 

Aliaksei Protas Excited To See What Brother Ilya Can Do This Season With Capitals OrganizationAs Washington Capitals winger Aliaksei Protas prepares to return to D.C. and prove last year wasn't a one-off, he's also looking forward to seeing what his younger brother, Ilya, can do in his second year with the organization.

Saginaw plays its first pre-season game on Friday, Aug. 29, against the Oshawa Generals. Fans may get the chance to see their new towering forward, who will be wearing the #43 for the upcoming season. 

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Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

London Knights Using Their Status In Signing Frenzy; Ex-NCAA Forward Leaves School To Play In The OHLThe London Knights arguably are the most coveted and highly sought-after organization in not just the OHL but the entire CHL. Young players hope to hear their name called every draft by the organization that has recently won back-to-back OHL Championships and the 2025 Memorial Cup. And now with the new NCAA rules in play, Americans are beginning to flock to the London powerhouse.  Why Brady Martin's Decision To Avoid The NCAA Is Justified For His DevelopmentBrady Martin’s choice to sign his entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators, foregoing his eligibility to play in the NCAA, is a decision that was maybe a bit unexpected, considering the evolving landscape. While other 2025 first-round draft picks, like Porter Martone and Roger McQueen, have opted to continue their development in the NCAA, leaving the CHL, Martin's decision to stay put in the OHL for the 2025-26 season is justified and the right call for his growth.  Brampton Add Depth In Former Toronto Marlboros ForwardThe Brampton Steelheads open up their training camp on Monday, Aug. 25. Unfortunately, the organization has lost several players due to them either aging out of the league, graduating to the professional ranks, or leaving for the NCAA. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ top-10 ratings for EA Sports’ NHL 26 have officially been released.

Atop the rankings is none other than Toronto’s captain, Auston Matthews, who’s sporting a 94 rating, the 12th-highest rating within the game. The 27-year-old’s rating dipped by one point when comparing it to his NHL 25 rating.

Matthews’ wrist-shot power, however, is the best in the game at 95, tied only with Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak. Matthews is also the only Maple Leafs player to have a 90 or above rating in all five categories (acceleration, speed, deking, passing, slap shot power, and wrist shot power).

The Scottsdale, Arizona, native is tied as the fourth-best center in the game, behind Jack Eichel (94), Sidney Crosby (94), Aleksander Barkov (95), Leon Draisaitl (96), Nathan MacKinnon (96), and Connor McDavid (97).

Second on Toronto’s list is William Nylander. He’s rated a 92 overall (one rating above his NHL 25 total of 91) and is the 25th-best player in the game. Nylander is ranked one spot above former Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (also a 92-rated player), who one-ups the Swede in only one category: passing.

John Tavares is next on the list with an 88 rating. He’s also the 25th-highest center in the game. Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly each have an 87 rating. Knies is tied for 15th in the game’s top left-wingers, while Rielly is tied with 11 players for the 20th spot in NHL 26’s best left defensemen.

Among the other players in Toronto’s top-10 are Brandon Carlo (86), Anthony Stolarz (85), Chris Tanev (85), Jake McCabe (85), and Joseph Woll (85). Three of those five players are coming off their first season with the Maple Leafs organization.

Carlo was acquired from the Bruins at the trade deadline in March for Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick. Tanev’s rights were traded to Toronto before the start of free agency last summer, and he then signed a six-year, $27 million contract with the Maple Leafs.

Stolarz inked a two-year, $5 million contract with Toronto on July 1, 2024, and is entering the final year of his deal. The 31-year-old had an up-and-down season with injuries, but finished the regular season with a .926 save percentage in 34 games.

He appeared in seven games during the playoffs for the Maple Leafs. Stolarz had a .901 save percentage in that span before leaving Game 1 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers following a Sam Bennett forearm to the head.

Toronto’s full top-10 ratings in NHL 26 are as follows: 1. Matthews (94), 2. Nylander (92), 3. Tavares (88), 4. Knies (87), 5. Rielly (87), 6. Carlo (86), 7. Stolarz (85), 8. Tanev (85), 9. McCabe (85), and 10. Woll (85).

The game is available for purchase on both XBOX Series X|S and PlayStation 5 systems, with the release date set for September 12.

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The 2025-26 NHL season will begin on Oct. 7, with training camps set to start the week of Sept. 17, followed shortly by preseason games starting on Sept. 20.

Eight RFAs remain unsigned league-wide, including high-profile core pieces like Luke Hughes, Connor Zary, and Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish.

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Two young and similarly high-profile players recently came to terms with their respective clubs: Marco Rossi signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild that carries an AAV of $5 million, and Frank Nazar signed a sizable seven-year contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks at a $6.6 million cap hit that will begin in 2026-27.

There’s been little to no information regarding McTavish’s negotiations with the Ducks, but his name has appeared in countless trade and offer sheet speculations since the offseason began.

“I think that Anaheim likes the player (McTavish),” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on his most recent ’32 Thoughts’ podcast. “I think they recognize how good the player is. I think there's a difference of opinion on where the salary should go at different terms.

“I have heard just gossip-wise that, say you're talking about a seven-year deal, what Anaheim sees on a seven-year deal and what McTavish's representatives at Newport (Newport Sports Management Inc.) see on a seven-year deal is different. And so, I think that's the case in a couple of these terms. And I think that's one of the reasons that it hasn't happened yet.”

The Ducks traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers on June 23, with part of general manager Pat Verbeek’s stated reason for pulling the trigger being his belief in Leo Carlsson and McTavish down the middle.

“(Zegras) is more creative in the middle of the ice, and having to play from the wing, we're fortunate that there's Leo (Carlsson) and there's Mason (McTavish),” Verbeek said. “We find that they're two pretty good centermen. So Trevor has to get pushed to the wing.”

Though chatter and speculation have died down of late concerning the Ducks potentially moving McTavish, as training camp gets ever-closer, there still seems to be lingering discussion from multiple media outlets surrounding McTavish’s future in Anaheim.

So why does McTavish discussion persist when questions surrounding Hughes and the New Jersey Devils (who only has a projected $6.13 million in cap space to get a deal done) or Zary and the Calgary Flames (who has the fifth most projected cap space, $15.41 million) remain nonexistent?

The answer lies in the summer of 2023, when similar scenarios played out with previously regarded core pieces of the organization: Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. As the saying goes, “the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior,” and we’ve seen this playbook from Verbeek. Both players are no longer with the organization.

With those negotiations and taking Troy Terry down to arbitration day with his contract negotiations, Verbeek cemented a reputation as a shrewd negotiator, specifically with RFAs, and more specifically with RFAs coming off of their ELCs, where the team holds significant leverage.

“I think the Ducks like the player. I think that they believe in him. I just think that you've got a lot of grinders in this negotiation,” Friedman said. “Pat Morris, who represents McTavish, he's a grinder. Pat Verbeek is a grinder.

“I think Pat Verbeek kind of looks at it like, ‘before the guy gets the super big money, I want him to really earn it. I don't want to give it to him too early.’ I think that's a philosophy. Jeff Solomon, who handles the contract negotiations in Anaheim, he's a grinder.”

Laying out the pieces (though it can change with one phone call), an agreement and an end to negotiation seems currently out of sight. The Zegras and Drysdale negotiations lasted well into training camp, leading to both players sustaining injuries in efforts to get themselves up to speed in their first camp under a brand-new head coach (sound familiar?).

Friedman reported that McTavish’s representation was hoping or seeking out a potential offer sheet from opposing teams. Whether that was because they’re truly seeking another destination or because they wanted to reattain some leverage and force a decision from Verbeek remains unknown.

“I think that McTavish representatives looked for an offer sheet, it didn't happen,” Friedman said. “There's been a lot of talk about why offer sheets didn't happen this year after what St. Louis did last year.

“I really believe the whole thing with Gavin McKenna has terrified teams from doing the offer sheet. This is a player with a chance to do some great things in the NHL. (Teams) can’t protect (and) say, ‘This pick is top two protected or top ten protected.’ You can't do that with an offer sheet. And I think that really scared teams away, not only with McTavish, but with other players. So I'm not surprised that didn't happen.”

A negotiation lasting into training camp isn’t ideal, regardless of player or circumstance. However, that date is closing in, and if talks extend to that point, it would be beneficial to both parties to do everything in their power to ensure McTavish is eased into camp upon an agreement. Injuries are unpredictable as is, and can occur at any point, but adding risk is unnecessary.

It would be beneficial for both sides to get the deal done as soon as possible. McTavish would be afforded the runway to pick up where he left off last season, where he scored 33 points (16-17-33) in his last 36 games, and the Ducks would enter a pivotal training camp before a season in which the stated mandate is to make the playoffs, with their projected second-line center of the present and future under contract.

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