Mason McTavish carries chip on shoulder after Ducks trade

Quick answers

What does Mason McTavish say about his trade from the Ducks?

Mason McTavish expressed his dissatisfaction with being traded from the Ducks, saying, 'I'm not happy with the way things went in Anaheim.' He acknowledged he has a chip on his shoulder because of the trade and stated he is looking forward to improving as a member of the Blues.

How does McTavish feel about his new team, the Blues?

Mason McTavish described his experience with the Blues positively, stating, 'It's been awesome so far.' He noted that the players have been very welcoming and appreciated the opportunity to meet his new teammates.

McTavish’s mindset for the upcoming season

Mason McTavish is entering the 2026-27 season with a renewed sense of purpose. The St. Louis Blues forward openly expressed his dissatisfaction regarding his trade from the Anaheim Ducks.

“Yeah, I think I have a chip on my shoulder, for sure,” McTavish stated. He mentioned that while he valued his time in Anaheim, the circumstances of his departure still weigh on him. “I enjoyed my time there; it was awesome, guys were great, but at the same time, they traded me,” he explained.

Blues acquisition details

The St. Louis Blues secured McTavish during the NHL Draft on June 26. They traded their first-round picks, Nos. 15 and 29, to acquire the 23-year-old forward.

McTavish had signed a six-year, $42 million contract the previous summer. This contract carries an average annual value of $7 million. However, his performance dipped significantly last season.

Performance struggles in Anaheim

In the last season with the Ducks, McTavish struggled to find the back of the net. He recorded just 17 goals and 24 assists in 75 games. This marked a sharp decline from his previous season, where he accumulated 52 points.

His role diminished under new coach Joel Quenneville. McTavish’s average ice time decreased from 16:53 to 15:19 per game. Quenneville even scratched him during the playoffs, limiting him to only 10 appearances in the team’s playoff run.

Transition to the Blues

McTavish is optimistic about his fresh start with the Blues. He described his experience thus far as positive, highlighting the welcoming nature of his new teammates. “It’s been awesome so far. The guys have been super welcoming,” he noted.

With the season approaching, he is focused on using his frustrations as motivation. McTavish aims to rediscover his scoring touch and help the Blues improve their playoff hopes after narrowly missing out last season.

For related context, see NHL trade coverage.

Reporting for this story draws on Sportsnet.

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