Canadiens recall Joel Armia, loan Filip Mesar to Kitchener

Montreal Canadiens winger Joel Armia. (Graham Hughes/CP)

The Montreal Canadiens have recalled forward Joel Armia from the AHL’s Laval Rocket, the team announced Saturday.

In a corresponding move, the team loaned forward Filip Mesar to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.

Armia will not play in Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals. Instead, Justin Barron will make his season debut, stepping in for the injured Kaiden Guhle.

Armia is entering the third year of a four-year, $13.6 million extension signed ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Last season with the Canadiens, Armia notched seven goals and 14 points in 43 games.

The 30-year-old from Pori, Finland, was selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Mesar, 19, was selected 26th overall by the Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Draft. In two games with the Rocket this season, he had one assist.

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