{"id":471962,"date":"2025-07-02T13:55:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T17:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=471962"},"modified":"2025-07-02T13:56:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T17:56:30","slug":"nhl-rumours-focus-on-a-couple-key-anaheim-duck-rfas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/07\/02\/nhl-rumours-focus-on-a-couple-key-anaheim-duck-rfas\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Focus On a Couple Key Anaheim Duck RFAs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a hectic opening few days to NHL free agency, it&#8217;s now time for another edition of NHL Rumours. For this one, we go to the land of Disney. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/ducks\/\" target=\"_self\">Anaheim Ducks<\/a> are shifting their attention from the free agents available around the league to two of the team\u2019s most important young pieces in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/23\/anaheim-ducks-offseason-to-do-list-part-1-of-2\/\" target=\"_self\">Mason McTavish<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/24\/anaheim-ducks-offseason\/\" target=\"_self\">Luk\u00e1\u0161 Dost\u00e1l<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>NHL Rumours Analyzing a Couple Pieces of the Anaheim Ducks Future<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Rumour: Today&#8217;s was a Tweet from Derek Lee, giving us the low-down on what Verbeek said, and that is that they are picking up the pace on wanting to get these two re-signed.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Verbeek\u2019s tone suggested confidence, the fact that neither player has been signed yet is starting to raise questions. Especially considering how integral both are to Anaheim\u2019s long-term core.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pat Verbeek on contract negotiations w\/RFAs Luk\u00e1\u0161 Dost\u00e1l &amp; Mason McTavish:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#39;re still starting to work on that a little harder now, kind of wanting to get through free agency\u2026 we\u2019ve got some time now to really get after it and get both players under contract.\u201d<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FlyTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#FlyTogether<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Derek_Lee27\/status\/1940164560922751345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 1, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General manager <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/03\/05\/the-anaheim-ducks-gm-pat-verbeeks-rebuild-comparison-to-others-in-nhl\/\" target=\"_self\">Pat Verbeek<\/a> was active on July 1st locking up key veterans and depth additions. Moreover, he spoke to the media late Tuesday and offered a brief update on the status of negotiations with his two restricted free agents. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/verbepa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-07-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pat Verbeek<\/a> on contract negotiations with RFAs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dostalu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-07-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luk\u00e1\u0161 Dost\u00e1l<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mctavma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-07-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mason McTavish<\/a>,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019re still starting to work on that a little harder now, kind of wanting to get through free agency\u2026 we\u2019ve got some time now to really get after it and get both players under contract.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The quote was shared widely by reporters and insiders on social media. Furthermore, it has sparked speculation among Ducks fans and league observers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>McTavish Contract Watch<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the two, Mason McTavish stands out as the more high-profile negotiation. The 21-year-old centre was drafted third overall in 2021. He has blossomed into a fan favourite and a physical, productive top-six forward. He recorded 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games last season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no indication of tension in the negotiations. But the structure of McTavish\u2019s next deal is likely a sticking point. The Ducks could opt for a long-term extension in the range of six-to-eight years. This type of term would burn up multiple UFA seasons and come with a higher AAV. Alternatively, a bridge deal, perhaps three years, would come with a lower cap hit. The bridge deal idea could appeal to both sides in the short term, especially with the Ducks still managing several other contracts on the books.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The comparable contracts are already swirling. With pundits pointing to recent deals for players like <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/07\/18\/new-jersey-devils-organization-should-re-sign-dawson-mercer\/\" target=\"_self\">Dawson Mercer<\/a> (3 years x $4M), <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/11\/09\/cole-perfetti-entry-level-deal-jets\/\" target=\"_self\">Cole Perfetti<\/a> (2 years x $3.25M), and even<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/senators\/\" target=\"_self\"> Ottawa\u2019s<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/05\/24\/what-kind-of-contract-will-ottawa-senators-shane-pinto-sign\/\" target=\"_self\">Shane Pinto<\/a> (2 years x $3.75M). A long-term extension north of $6M annually would not be surprising if the Ducks are fully committed to McTavish\u2019s long-term role behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/carlsle01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-07-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leo Carlsson<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Dost\u00e1l Deserves His Deal<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, on to the other side of the ice, literally. Luk\u00e1\u0161 Dost\u00e1l is still awaiting his next contract after finishing the 2024\u201325 season as Anaheim\u2019s number-one goaltender. The Czechia netminder stepped up during the injury riddled season of veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/06\/28\/red-wings-john-gibson\/\" target=\"_self\">John Gibson<\/a>. Gibson was traded a few weeks ago to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/redwings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. Dost\u00e1l posted a .903 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average in 54 games. Thus, cementing himself as a reliable starter on a rebuilding-but-rising Ducks squad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While goalies are notoriously difficult to value. Dost\u00e1l\u2019s body of work suggests a deal similar to ones signed by fellow up-and-coming starters like <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/03\/hurricanes-re-sign-goaltender-amidst-stellar-playoff-performance\/\" target=\"_self\">Pyotr Kochetkov<\/a> (4 years x $2M) or <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/26\/sabres-failures-this-season\/\" target=\"_self\">Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/a> (2 years x $4.75M) might be in play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaheim has more flexibility in net now. With prospect <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/09\/02\/anaheim-ducks-top-prospects-2024-edition\/\" target=\"_self\">Damian Clara<\/a> still a couple years away and no major goalie commitments beyond next season. A two-to-three year deal that gives Dost\u00e1l the chance to prove himself as a full-time starter, while keeping the door open for a future raise. This would align with how the Ducks have approached goaltending development in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Cap Room and Clock Management<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news for Verbeek is that time is on his side. With free agency\u2019s first wave behind him and over $28 million in cap space available. He\u2019s under no immediate pressure. That being said, the longer these negotiations linger. The more Ducks fans will grow uneasy especially if camp nears without deals in place for these important young pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From a team-building standpoint. Locking in McTavish and Dost\u00e1l now gives the Ducks a more complete picture of their salary structure heading into the fall. It also helps them map out future extensions for young players like <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/01\/11\/anaheim-suffers-two-losses-in-pavel-mintyukov-and-trevor-zegras\/\" target=\"_self\">Pavel Mintyukov<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/24\/anaheim-ducks-offseason\/\" target=\"_self\">Olen Zellweger<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/01\/08\/the-anaheim-ducks-trade-jamie-drysdale-for-philadelphia-flyer-prospect-cutter-gauthier\/\" target=\"_self\">Cutter Gauthier<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaheim has done well this summer to surround their youth with responsible veterans. The heartbeat of this team\u2019s future is still its under-25 core, and McTavish and Dost\u00e1l are at the centre of that vision.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What\u2019s Next?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Verbeek\u2019s comments are to be taken at face value, fans should expect movement soon on these important young pieces. Negotiations that were on pause during the chaotic July 1st window may now ramp up. Now, he will have an eye toward getting both players signed before training camp opens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t be surprised if McTavish is the <em>domino<\/em> that needs to fall first. His contract is likely the more complex of the two and once that number is locked in. The Ducks will have a clearer financial picture for Dost\u00e1l and the rest of their roster decisions. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For now, it&#8217;s a waiting game in Orange County. But the message from management is clear, the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/ducks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ducks<\/a> know how important these deals are, and they\u2019re about to \u201c<em>really get after it<\/em>.\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay tuned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a hectic opening few days to NHL free agency, it&#8217;s now time for another edition of NHL Rumours. For this one, we go to the land of Disney. The Anaheim Ducks are shifting their attention from the free agents available around the league to two of the team\u2019s most important young pieces in Mason [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5367,"featured_media":471971,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20,4547,34,4548,4321],"tags":[6492,3430,6752,2611],"class_list":["post-471962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ducks","category-hockey","category-news","category-nhl","category-rumours","tag-anaheim-ducks-rumours","tag-lukas-dostal","tag-mason-mctavish","tag-pat-verbeek"],"modified_by":"Levi Pike, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5367"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=471962"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":471976,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471962\/revisions\/471976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/471971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=471962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=471962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=471962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}