While the Mason McTavish trade probably wasn't going to happen anyway, you can now officially cross it off the list. Even if there was no logic for the trade to begin with, the alleged asking price from Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek just nixed any possibility of this trade occurring.
What, or who, did Verbeek supposedly want for McTavish? Per Geoff Hannah of NHL Trade Rumor, it was none other than Moritz Seider. Hannah wrote, "Rumors suggest Verbeek isn’t looking for picks or prospects; he wants an immediate, impact player in a one-for-one swap. The name being floated?Moritz Seider. Yes,that Moritz Seider. This isn’t just a rumor; it’s a high-stakes staring contest between two savvy GMs, Steve Yzerman and his former Detroit teammate Verbeek."
Hey, McTavish is a good player and all, but would he bring the same impact to Detroit that Seider's been briniging over the past four seasons? I don't need to spell it out for any of you. The answer's a resounding 'no,' and Wings fans would be calling for Steve Yzerman's pink slip if he completed such a trade.
Mason McTavish would make the Red Wings deeper at forward, but...
Without a doubt, Mason McTavish's presence would give the Red Wings a deep forwrad group. Last season, he put up 52 points and 22 goals in 76 contests, and finished with a 50.7 face-off win percentage.
If he found himself in a Winged Wheel sweater this season, he'd be part of a lineup that already features centers Dylan Larkin and Marco Kasper, so I can see the draw. But for the likes of Moritz Seider? It's not happening.
Doing that would weaken an already ticky-tacky blue line in Hockeytown. And, unless the Wings could somehow average between four and five goals per game, they wouldn't be winning many contests. So, again, there's no way this trade's happening if Seider is indeed the asking price.
The Wings would be better off recalling a prospect from Grand Rapids
Honestly, I'd rather just see Steve Yzerman recall Nate Danielson and give him some reps with the Wings. Danielson can definitely use more seasoning, but he'd be worth the wait and won't cost the Wings anything other than a lineup spot.
Yeah, it's the 'long game,' and you know how much I wanted to see Yzerman put something together this year. But we also don't need to see him giving up a star defenseman for a player who's never put up more than 52 points in a single season.
Heck, I wouldn't even give up Simon Edvinsson or Axel Sandin-Pellikka for McTavish. Edvinsson will make a sizable jump this season, and don't be surprised when Sandin-Pellikka starts taking over the league once he's ready to roll.
Building up the Wings slowly, but surely, while still not the most ideal move at this point, considering how close they've gotten to a playff berth in recent years, is the right way to go. So, hold onto your core players, Mr. Yzerman, and pass on McTavish. Not that anyone needs to tell you that to begin with.
More from Octopus Thrower