Ducks trade Mason McTavish to the Blues, packaging Draft picks to reshape the roster pipeline

During the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, the Anaheim Ducks agreed to trade forward Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues, a deal that reframed how both teams were prioritizing their short-term depth versus their long-term core. The transaction, reported by Yahoo Sports, sent McTavish to the Blues in exchange for two draft picks: the 15th overall and the 29th overall in the 2026 draft. The Ducks then used the 15th pick to select forward Nikita Klepov.

McTavish, 23 years old, is entering the second year of a six-year contract valued at $42 million, according to the report. That context matters because it places the trade inside the framework of team-building under a multi-year commitment, rather than a short-term rental or an emergency roster correction. Yahoo Sports also reported that there is “zero salary retention” in the deal, meaning Anaheim is moving McTavish’s full cap responsibility to St. Louis.

From Anaheim’s perspective, the trade also reflects how quickly roster planning can pivot during the Draft. With trade rumors reportedly “abundant” over the prior week, the Ducks waited until draft night to finalize an approach that blended a proven NHL player asset with immediate draft capital. By swapping McTavish for a pair of first-round-level opportunities, Anaheim increased its ability to address multiple positions or roster needs through the 2026 class.

St. Louis, meanwhile, gains a younger forward profile tied to a meaningful contract timeline. For a team looking to strengthen its offense in the near term, acquiring a player on the early portion of a long-term deal can be a way to stabilize the forward group while also giving the organization flexibility elsewhere. The Blues’ added pick at 29th overall also gives them a second chance to add talent within the first round range of a single draft.

The immediate draft impact in Anaheim is clear in the reported selection of Klepov at 15th overall. Landing a high first-round player shortly after trading away a cornerstone prospect-to-core type of forward suggests the Ducks view the 2026 Draft as a chance to replenish prospect depth without walking away entirely from the team’s development structure. It also concentrates value: turning one incoming asset (15th overall) into a new forward addition at a premium spot.

Whether the trade ultimately benefits one side more will likely depend on how quickly St. Louis can integrate McTavish’s game within its forward rotations and how Anaheim’s new additions develop once they step into their roles. The framework is also unusual in timing, since both sides completed a major roster decision mid-Draft, when leverage and board positioning are at their most fluid. What to watch next is whether the Blues follow this move with additional prospect or defensive help, and whether the Ducks’ Draft strategy shifts their internal balance between ready-for-pro games and developmental timelines.