Devils’ perfect trade offer for Ducks’ Mason McTavish

Originally posted on NHL on ClutchPoints
By Jordan Llanes, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jun 11, 2026 10:08 PM ET

The 2025-26 campaign did not go according to plan for the New Jersey Devils. A solid start then gave way to a gradual slide down the standings. By season’s end, the Devils finished in second-to-last place in the Metropolitan Division with 87 total points.

Injuries played some part in that slide, as franchise center Jack Hughes missed 21 games. Furthermore, key members of New Jersey’s core, such as defenseman Dougie Hamilton, are getting older.

New general manager Sunny Mehta, hired away from the Florida Panthers, has a lot of work to do this summer. The Devils need to move on from some of their more expensive contracts and retool around Hughes and his younger brother, Luke. Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier are also part of a potentially explosive offensive core.

However, dealing for another offensive weapon, preferably a younger piece to add to their core, would be a great move by Mehta. Luckily, the new GM has a few pieces he could deal with to bring in that offensive talent.

With the Anaheim Ducks reportedly looking to move forward Mason MacTavish, Mehta should ask what the price would be. Fortunately, the Devils’ new front office boss has a piece that Anaheim would likely covet: defenseman Simon Nemec, the former No. 2 pick slated to hit restricted free agency this summer.

Devils, Ducks could work out a swap of young, pending RFAs this summer

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Both Nemec and McTavish would fill roles much needed with their prospective new teams. McTavish would slot into the Devils’ second or third line with ease, with the ability to grow into a potential top-line contributor. The 23-year-old’s role has diminished a bit recently due to the emergence of Leo Carlsson. Veteran Mikael Granlund’s presence has also hindered McTavish’s development to an extent.

However, the former third overall pick could still become one of the NHL’s best scoring threats. While his 41 points were the lowest total he’s put up over a full NHL season, McTavish was dropped down to the Ducks’ lower lines as Carlsson and Granlund’s play improved. So far in his career, McTavish has proven to be a more offense-oriented player.

Luckily, the Devils could use a player or two like that. Acquiring McTavish would give them another option with upside, though. Four seasons into his NHL career, McTavish is still a few years away from his physical prime, and the former first-rounder has a lot of room to grow. That continued pursuit of improvement should explode alongside players like the Hughes brothers, Meier, and Hischier.

Nemec would fill a hole in the Ducks’ defense: a young, emerging defensive talent whose focus is on shutting down the opposition. Anaheim’s blue line is filled with strong veterans. They could use another defender to grow alongside their core. Furthermore, with both players slated to be restricted free agents, a sign-and-trade could be a possibility. In any case, this deal could very well work out to be a win for both the Devils and Ducks. For two franchises hungry for another Stanley Cup berth, McTavish and Nemec could be the missing pieces each roster needs.

This article first appeared on NHL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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