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.
The Canadiens acquire forward Joel Armia, goaltender Steve Mason, a seventh-round draft pick in 2019 and a fourth-round pick in 2020 from the Winnipeg Jets, in exchange for defenseman Simon Bourque.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 30, 2018
DETAILS -> https://t.co/M9SeD9NXPE.
The #NHLJets have acquired defenceman Simon Bourque from the @CanadiensMTL in exchange for Steve Mason, Joel Armia and a pair of draft picks.
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) June 30, 2018
MORE > https://t.co/l0rxm5HWzm pic.twitter.com/a84Pdn6dTb
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.
#nhljets unload Steve Mason, Joel Armia, a 4th round pick and a 7th round pick to #Habs in exchange for defenceman Simon Bourque. It’s a pure salary dump, opening space to re-sign Paul Stastny.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 30, 2018
The Canadiens seemingly have similar motives, with Mason reportedly heading for waivers.
A good move for the Habs. And as @renlavoietva just reported (how is this man not verified?), Steve Mason is being placed on unconditional waivers for purpose of a contract buyout. https://t.co/MfG1PEaQ6Z
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) June 30, 2018