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Joel Armia, RW |
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Shoots: R |
Height: 6-3 |
Weight: 187 |
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Born: 1993-05-31 |
Hometown: Pori, Finland |
Drafted: 2011 by Buffalo, 16th overall |
Observations:
May 2017 – The big Finnish winger is running out of time to break-out and show the level of offensive output he was projected to have after lighting up international tournaments as a junior player a handful of years ago. Armia still has great offensive upside, but has had trouble cracking Winnipeg’s top scoring lines to earn key minutes. He’s showing improvements each season, but may not be considered a top-end prospect anymore, but instead a solid NHLer. This past season, he played 57 games in the NHL, where he was able to net 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points, but found it tough to move up the line-up with the likes of guys like Patrik Laine ahead of him on the depth chart. Armia could be a prime candidate for the NHL’s Las Vegas expansion draft, or possibly as a free agent this summer, as long as a team has the capability of giving him a chance at top line minutes. – David Dickenson
October 2016 – Armia made the Winnipeg Jets' opening day 22-man roster for the 2016-17 season. – David Dickenson
September 2016 – After more than half a season in the NHL with Winnipeg, Armia looks like he could slowly be turning the corner to a productive NHL career. He’s transformed his game to add more of a defensive element, but it’s his simple go-hard-to-the-net approach which will hopefully earn some top-six minutes with the Jets. At times he has looked like a star in international competitions, but needs to bring that same intensity to the NHL. David Dickenson
November 2015 – To be fair, Armia's a member of a Manitoba squad struggling to put the puck in the net. But he's not making himself noticed among the mediocre. With all the talent on the way for Winnipeg, Armia is looking more and more as if he will become a depth option. Dobber
February 2015 – As part of the Evander Kane-Tyler Myers swap, Joel Armia is headed to the Winnipeg Jets organization. Playing with Rochester, Armia has produced well in his sophomore AHL season (32GP-10G-15A-25P) and should give Winnipeg a near NHL-ready winger for call-up in the short term. With few right-shooting wingers ahead of him on the Jets prospect depth charts, this move benefits Armia. Brendan Ross
October 2014 – Armia looked determined to prove a point to Sabres management that he's ready to take that next step. He was arguably the Sabres best player at the prospect camp and even though the team disappointed they had to have been happy with the way their 2011 1st round pick played. Ultimately it wasn't enough to take a roster spot from fellow first rounder Sam Reinhart or a more seasoned Sabre under contract. Mikhail Grigorenko will likely be the first Amerk recalled but look for Armia to have his name called on a couple of occasions this season. A big season in Rochester could be on the horizon and fantasy owners should be keeping a close watch. See below to witness a lovely bit of skill from the 6'3" finnish power forward. Travis Watson
June 2014 – It was a disappointing debut season for Joel Armia getting off to a rough start breaking his hand in training camp. The injury certainly limited him and seemingly may have lingered on throughout the season. Armia who's known as a promising up-and-coming power forward with a knack for scoring goals was only able to hit the twine for seven in 54 regular season games. He finished the year with a disappointing 27 points spread out among many ineffective games. However, he was able to pick it up a notch when it matter most and led the Amerks attack with three goals and three assists before being ousted in five games by the Jake Allen led Chicago Wolves. The young Finnish wingers strong end to the year bodes well for his confidence heading into an important summer where he looks to re-enter the mix for top nine contention in Buffalo and reassert himself as one of Buffalo's top prospects. Travis Watson
August 2013 – Sabres fans will be happy to hear that their 2011 first round draft pick will be making his way to North America for the 2013 season. Whether it is in Rochester or Buffalo will be up to Armia. Since he wasn't able to make the trek for development camp in July due to previous commitment, he will have to make an even bigger impression at training camp to stick with the big league club. Lucky for Armia the Sabres depth chart on the wings is much weaker than any other position so if he does start the year in the AHL there is still a good chance of him getting the call when injury bug hits the Sabres roster. Travis Watson
December 2012 – Armia has slowed down since the start of the season and now has 10 goals and 14 points in 24 games. He suffered a concussion after a dirty hit mid-November but returned to the rink in December. Armia will be one of the go-to guys for Finland in the upcoming World Juniors. Miika Arponen
October 2012 – Armia has started the 2012/13 season very well. He has five goals and three assists in eight games and is +2 on that span. He has strengthened and matured from last year and there's a very good chance that he'll make the leap to the NHL in 2013/14. Miika Arponen
July 2012 – Armia moved forward in his second season with Assat of the Finnish Elite League. He also excreted himself at the World Juniors with seven points which was good enough tie for third on the Finnish team. Armia recently signed his three year entry level contract, but it is expected he will be loaned back to Assat for the upcoming season. Jason Banks
December 2011 – When you’re looking up at names like Tomas Zaborsky, Stephen Dixon and Radek Smolenak, chances are you’re doing something wrong. Fresh off a breakthrough rookie campaign in the Finnish SM-Liiga that saw the 6’3 winger net 18 goals and 29 points, Joel Armia struggled to reach 18 points before the start of the WJC. The 16th overall pick this past June, Armia is a dynamic scorer when he wants to be- but too often he plays a role of passenger, as he was in a disastrous start for Assat. Matt Bugg
There’s fantasy value there, if Armia can find the game and scoring line minutes that made the big Finn such a success in international competitions. He may be a good steal if another team can snag him at the NHL expansion draft or in free agency. Needs the opportunity to show what he can do on a top line.
Footage:
Armia with the filthy toe drag which may go down as the goal of the 2015 season and it comes on the AHL's opening night:
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