Habs to Buy Out Steve Mason
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Steve Mason’s time with Montreal didn’t last very long. After acquiring him Saturday morning, the Habs played him on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a buyout.
Steve Mason’s time with Montreal didn’t last very long. After acquiring him Saturday morning, the Habs played him on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a buyout.
The Habs have made a move in advance of free agency but it’s not one many were expecting. Montreal has added winger Joel Armia, goalie Steve Mason, and a pair of draft picks from Winnipeg in exchange for Simon Bourque.
Monday was the deadline for teams to issue qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. While the Habs tendered offers to four players, they also are letting five others go.
Saturday was a busy day for the Habs who made five several trades involving draft picks while adding ten more prospects to the organization. Here is a closer look at all of their selections.
For the second straight year, the Habs selected a centre with their top pick, selecting Jesperi Kotkaniemi with the third overall pick on Friday night.
If the Canadiens are hoping to shore up their blue line with the third overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the odds are they would target a left shot, puck-moving defenceman, and there is a player that fits the bill perfectly in American Quinn Hughes.
Marc Bergevin certainly isn’t afraid of making potentially unpopular moves. Following his latest of those trades which saw Alex Galchenyuk go to Arizona for Max Domi, our writers weigh in with their thoughts on the swap.
As more and more fans start to focus on the draft, Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s name is continually associated with the Canadiens as he may represent the long-awaited top-line centre the Habs have desired for over two decades.
The Habs have a fair bit of depth on the wing but most of it is on the left side, leaving the right wing a little thin which is something that can be said for their prospect pool as well.
As has been the case with several offseason trade acquisitions in years past, the Habs have wasted little time getting a deal done with Max Domi, signing him to a two-year, $6.3 million contract.