Ducks might have a Mason McTavish problem

Mason McTavish is 23 years old. He conceptually still has a very bright hockey future ahead of him.

Lately, though, the Anaheim Ducks' forward has not been in a great place.

In his last five games, McTavish has three total shots and hasn't scored a single point.

And now he's becoming a healthy scratch.

"Mason McTavish was scratched again Wednesday as the Ducks lost 3-2 to Philadelphia in overtime," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote. "You can always rewrite your own narrative, and Anaheim has several big games to play yet this season. Jeremy Swayman signed on Oct. 6, 2024, after a lengthy, bitter contract dispute and it played a big part in Boston’s season going sideways. But, with a summer of peace, Swayman showed up ready to go, and has been excellent, a huge part of the Bruins’ resurgence. McTavish signed Sept. 27, 2025, after a lengthy, bitter contract dispute and hasn’t been the same. The good news for the Ducks is they are in the race, allowing McTavish the chance to save this season. But I can’t help but wonder if he’s next year’s Swayman."

MORE: Oilers might be closer to Connor McDavid nightmare than it appears

For the season, McTavish has played in 61 games and has 32 points -- 13 goals and 19 assists.

The Ducks clearly aren't feeling good about where he's at, because a talented scorer with a sturdy contract and a strong pedigree isn't a guy you normally sit up in the stands rather than putting him in the lineup.

McTavish, as Friedman writes, has a bit of chance to redeem himself.

But this is a story that isn't guaranteed to have a good resolution now. The pendulum has swung pretty far in one direction. It's up to McTavish to find a way to change his fortunes, and it might have to be in a hurry.

More NHL news:

• Could the Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews be done?
• Unheralded winger set new NHL skating speed record
• We finally know what Sidney Crosby's Olympic injury is
• Just a bit of doubt about Alex Ovechkin's future
• Evgeni Malkin still facing a bit of tension
• The $25 million implication of Maple Leafs' Bobby McMann trade