Yesterday the Rangers were considered to be the two “finalists” for Mason McTavish from Anaheim. Reports are stating that it’s the Rangers and the St. Louis Blues who have the final two offers, with the Rangers offering a “roster player” and St. Louis offering the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, per Elliotte Friedman. Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek would presumably flip that 11th overall pick for another asset, and that asset is likely what Verbeek is researching and is the hold up.
Regardless of how this goes, and as discussed on Live From the Blue Seats (releasing later this morning, technical issues last night), Mason McTavish is the right target for the Rangers. It’s not necessarily about the player, and more about the process. The Rangers have been in on the players available that have talent, and McTavish is that kind of target. As was Bowen Byram, for whom Drury was rumored to have offered the 5th overall pick.
The process of trade cost acquisition is one thing, but the process of identifying that the Rangers need talent is another. It’s the latter that is giving some slivers of hope that Chris Drury may have a plan. The rumors involving the Rangers are about talented players, not gritty bottom sixers.
Mason McTavish is an excellent buy low candidate, but only for the right price. The 5th overall pick does not seem to be on the table, so the player in question is almost assuredly Braden Schneider. Schneider and McTavish should have similar trade values as former first round picks at a premium position who are still cheap(ish) and young. That’s the right price for McTavish. If it takes the 26th overall pick as well, so be it. That’s a dart throw in this very weak draft.
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