NHL trade news: Canadiens acquire Mason, Armia, picks from Jets in exchange for Bourque

Rudi Schuller

NHL trade news: Canadiens acquire Mason, Armia, picks from Jets in exchange for Bourque image

A pair of Canadian teams were active in the trade market Saturday, with the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets swapping players and assets one day before the NHL free agency window opens.

The Canadiens acquired goaltender Steve Mason, forward Joel Armia, a 2019 seventh-round pick, and a fourth-round selection in 2020 from the Jets in exchange for defenseman Simon Bourque, the teams announced.

Mason, 30, has played 476 regular-season games in his 10-year NHL career, racking up a 205-183-64 record and a 2.70 goals against average. Joining Mason in Montreal is 25-year-old Armia, who has recorded 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) in 180 regular-season appearances. 

Heading to Winnipeg is 21-year-old Simon Bourque, who has yet to play in the NHL. Bourque, a sixth-round pick in the 2015 NHL draft, played 46 games in 2017-18 for the AHL's Laval Rocket, registering three assists.

According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, the Jets were looking to unload salary and used Saturday's trade to take a substantial chunk of money off their books.

The Canadiens seemingly have similar motives, with Mason reportedly heading for waivers.

Rudi Schuller