Joel Armia signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2018 in a deal that noticed the Habs take Steve Mason’s contract off the Winnipeg Jets’ palms. In return, the Habs acquired Armia and a few draft picks in what regarded like a tip for providers rendered.
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The Finn was coming off his second skilled contract and had a cap hit of $925,000 yearly. Marc Bergevin signed the previous Buffalo Sabres first-round choose to a one-year pact, which doubled his cap hit.
The next Summer time, he gave him a 2-year contract extension price $2.6 M per. He completed that contract because the Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup last, with Armia scoring eight factors in 21 video games. A efficiency that satisfied the previous GM to signal him to a four-year take care of a $3.4 M annual common worth.
Within the first three years of that extension, irrespective of what number of video games he performed, Armia solely scored 14 factors, and towards the top of the third yr, he had turn into many followers’ whipping boy.
Final Season
The beginning of the final marketing campaign was a stark wake-up name for the 30-year-old Pori native. After a superb coaching camp from Jesse Ylonen, who would have needed to clear waivers to be despatched right down to Laval, Armia discovered himself on waivers as a substitute. The danger of him being claimed was a lot decrease, and as anticipated, he cleared and reported to Laval.
Related: Canadiens: What to Expect From Brendan Gallagher
As an alternative of pouting about it, he rolled up his sleeves and gathered 5 factors in 4 video games with the AHL affiliate. Because of this, the Canadiens known as him up as quickly as they wanted reinforcements and he scored in his first recreation again. Nonetheless, he went pointless in his subsequent 5 video games, making the Canadiens ship him again down in mid-November.
He as soon as once more placed on his working boots and gathered 4 factors in as many video games in Laval to earn his second and final call-up of the season, as that one caught. Montreal was as soon as once more hit by quite a few accidents, which means there was room once more for the winger.
Ultimately, he performed 66 video games with the Habs final season and scored 25 factors, the third-highest level whole of his profession.
What to Count on
Armia is now getting into the ultimate season of the four-year extension Bergevin signed him to earlier than being given his marching orders. This implies he must ship if he needs to earn a contract extension or one other contract as a free agent subsequent season.
Because the begin of coaching camp, he is been on a line with Jake Evans and Brendan Gallagher with good outcomes. Once they hit the ice in Brossard, it regarded like the road already had chemistry. Gallagher and Evans praised him and stated they take pleasure in patrolling the ice alongside him.
Related: Canadiens: What to Expect From Jake Evans
Nonetheless, $3.4 M for a fourth-line winger is some huge cash, and younger prospects are ready within the wings to make the bounce to the NHL. Chatting with the press earlier throughout camp, Patrik Laine stated the large winger informed him he loves Montreal and want to keep on the town eternally.
If Armia really needs that to occur, he might want to ship on the ice this season and be prepared to simply accept a pay reduce and a short-term deal. When the Canadiens are able to contend, I doubt Hughes has Armia penciled in as one of many crew’s veteran leaders.
In brief, although, we must always anticipate Armia to combat for his NHL life, whether or not in Montreal or elsewhere within the league. It is laborious to pinpoint some extent goal with out figuring out what sort of deployment he’ll take pleasure in.
Final season, due to all of the accidents, he averaged 15:33 of ice time. Enjoying the fourth line would not internet you a whole lot of ice time. He ought to see a whole lot of penalty-killing time, however that is not the place one produces.
Regardless that it is a contract yr for him, Armia’s efficiency should be evaluated on effort and dedication relatively than by factors. If he’s as concerned as he was final season, he could have had a superb yr.
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