[TRADE] MTL acquires Armia, Mason from WPG

[StuntMan12]

https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/c...ue/c-299353398

MONTREAL - The Canadiens acquired forward Joel Armia, goaltender Steve Mason, a seventh-round selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft from the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, in exchange for defenseman Simon Bourque.

Armia is coming off his most productive season points-wise in the NHL ranks, setting single-season highs in all three major offensive categories with 12 goals, 17 assists and 29 points in 79 games. He also appeared in 13 playoff games for the Jets during their run to the Western Conference Finals, chipping in with a pair of goals. The 25-year-old right-winger, who hails from Pori, Finland, was selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2011.In 180 career NHL games, Armia boasts 26 goals and 58 points.
For his part, Mason appeared in 13 games for the Jets during the 2017-18 campaign, posting a 5-6-1 record, along with a 3.24 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage and one shutout. Over the course of his career, the 30-year-old Oakville, ON native has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets - who drafted him in the third round - 69th overall in 2006 - and the Philadelphia Flyers. He boasts a record of 205-183-64 in 476 career appearances in between the pipes, along with a 2.70 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and 34 shutouts. Simon Bourque, meanwhile, was a sixth-round pick of the Canadiens - 177th overall - back in 2015.

In his first full season in the pros in 2017-18, the 21-year-old defenseman registered three assists in 46 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket.

[PrairieDog]

Clearing the table for Stastny - nice move.

Also nice to see the Habs get a someone who can really push Price

[Ingolo]

Chevy making some space for a Stastny contract? With Wheeler and Laine needing extensions soon, I feel like they've got to be careful how much they commit to someone like Stastny.

[niconasr]

Clearing the table for Stastny - nice move.

Also nice to see the Habs get a someone who can really push Price

Montreal will either trade Mason again or simply buy him out. They already have Niemi and Lindgren as backups.

[newfcollins]

I find it amusingly that it is the Habs helping Winnipeg free up cap space to sign Stastny.

[tweetdrivr]

I find it amusingly that it is the Habs helping Winnipeg free up cap space to sign Stastny.

I find it to be a relief because that keeps the Habs from giving Stastny a highly regrettable contract.

[Krysmo]

GAH I know the Jets had to lose someone to ditch Mason, but I really, really liked Armia. Still Armia was an RFA who would have gotten a modest raise on his salary from last year, and hopefully the cheaper Copp can step up next year.
Boy, I'm sure Mr. Armia is pleased with this turn of events...

[gooding74]

Fantasy take on the deal:
https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-home...armia-to-habs/

[Axeman33]

With the depth of the Jets forwards coming up, Armia was expenable so he was probably the guy Montreal really wanted but had to take Mason to make it happen. Armia is nothing special, but he's still a good depth piece on the wing. Yet another trade for the Habs that brings in something they dont need instead of something they do need (center and D help). At least this time Bergevin didnt send out anything of any value.

[rufio.85]

This is the type of move that Bergevin needs to make right now and I actually like it. The Habs get a skilled player and accumulate some assets with these picks.
It is not an home run, but Armia has some game in him and maybe that some added ice-time will help him grow.
That's an intelligent use of that cap space he has, hopefully MB doesn't spend it all by overpaying a UFA.
Good move for the Habs imo, same can be said for the Jets if they manage to keep Stastny at a reasonable cap hit.

[Godin]

Montreal will either trade Mason again or simply buy him out. They already have Niemi and Lindgren as backups.

Buy out.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nhl/2221/steve-mason

[FantasyKing]

Now that Steve Mason has been bought out, where do we see him going ?

[CascadeFilly]

Good move for both teams, although the Jets can 'lose' in the deal if they over-commit to Stastny. I don't think Chevy will mess that up, but you never know.

[FantasyKing]

Agreed , being smart with managing the contracts will be key

Good move for both teams, although the Jets can 'lose' in the deal if they over-commit to Stastny. I don't think Chevy will mess that up, but you never know.

[Axeman33]

Good move for both teams, although the Jets can 'lose' in the deal if they over-commit to Stastny. I don't think Chevy will mess that up, but you never know.

Well they are limited in the cap dept so I dont think they CAN over-commit to him, unlike other teams who are crying for help down the middle with tons of cap space. I think him coming back to WPG is based more on the fact he likes whats going on there and most likely will take less money to re-sign there.