|
In Hainsight: What to Expect from Joel Armia |
|
|
|
|
|
Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Joel Armia is just about to embark on his sixth season with the Montreal Canadiens and the third year of the four-year contract with a $3.4 AAV which Marc Bergevin signed him too in July 2021. Of all the bad contracts Kent Hughes inherited, this is probably the most problematic right now. Why? Because $3.4 million a year for a fourth liner with very little upside makes him very hard to move. Granted, Gallagher’s cap hit is even worst, but the diminutive winger still brings something to the team while Armia doesn’t really. In fact, his biggest contribution might have been to warn Kotkaniemi about the Montreal media “he really hates them” said the Carolina Hurricanes center in an interview a few weeks back.
Last season, Armia only took part in 43 games, battling quite a few injuries, but if you look at his five seasons with the Habs, he’s never played more than 60 games in a season, which means that staying healthy is a struggle for the big Finn. Offensive contribution wise, he’s produced 14 points in each of the last three seasons. Could he contribute more if he had more ice-time? Perhaps, but he’s doing nothing to deserve increased ice-time. With the Habs thinking heavily about development, there’s no reason why he should be playing more than youngsters who will be part of the equation when the Habs are ready to contend.
In his last media availability, Kent Hughes said he would like to start the season without having put Carey Price on LTIR to have more flexibility during the season, but right now, the Canadiens are $3.7 million over the cap. The general manager hinted that moves could be made to sort out the issue and moving Armia would go a long way in doing that, but it’s hard to imagine a team willing to take on his cap hit for the next two years. However, the Canadiens still have one retained salary spot after retaining salary on both the Edmundson and the Petry deals, but would it be reasonable to use it now? Or would they be better off saving it for the trade deadline? That’s definitely a question which Hughes needs to ponder carefully.
If Armia remains with the Canadiens, which appears to be the more likely scenario right now, he’ll likely spend the season on the fourth line and get some more minutes on the penalty killing. Perhaps a return to health could see him produce a little bit more but I wouldn’t bet on it. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Habs sending him down to Laval but that’s unlikely. Firstly because Kent Hughes has said that he wants to do right by his player to make Montreal a more attractive destination for free agents and burying a veteran in the AHL is hardly something likely to make players wanting to come to town. Secondly, because he can play on the penalty killing and that can come in handy, especially since Montreal does tend to take a lot of penalties.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»