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Montreal Canadiens: Joel Armia Addition In Laval Could Help Habs Youngsters

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

MONTREAL, CANADA - FEBRUARY 14: Joel Armia #40 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during warm-ups prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Centre Bell on February 14, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - FEBRUARY 14: Joel Armia #40 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during warm-ups prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Centre Bell on February 14, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Joel Armia situation with the Montreal Canadiens was long overdue to be dealt with, and it cleared some space for a young guy to take his place.

What wasn’t really considered was how he could help the Laval Rockets young guys acclimate to the pros. He also provides a dual-threat special teams player for the Rocket, which takes the pressure off the prospects, and allows them to learn from a veteran. Armia did not work out in the NHL for the Habs, but in Laval, he provides many things, the most important being a mentor with experience playing against the best.

In a brilliant chain of events, he has provided all those things for head coach JF Houle, and some. Armia has played his best hockey in a long time, looking great in his own zone, while being a large part of what the team is producing offensively. His hot start proves that he took the demotion on the chin, and carried himself like a professional.

While that is expected, it’s one thing to say, but another to do it. You can’t blame the guy for being upset if he were, but he has been a consummate pro, and shown the young guys the importance of hard work. As a high pick, Armia came in with high expectations, so he can relate with the higher picks, about handling the pressures that come with it.

His actual play on the ice has been impressive since his season debut. Through two games in the American Hockey League l, Armia has scored two goals and one assist, and he scored his third of the season on Wednesday night against the Rochester Americans.

It’s a small sample, but he has continued building on his strong play, and he has been an enjoyable player to watch. His style is more suited to the AHL, he defends the pucks well and his frame is able to withstand the increased physicality. His strength stands out in his ability to cycle the puck, and hold defenders on his back and still possess the puck.

When he was demoted, the hope was that he would stay away from the NHL roster. But given the fact that his presence in Laval could help the Canadiens’ top prospects develop, it would appear that he has exceeded any expectations from the organization. He has been a Swiss Army knife for Rocket, which is what got him drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 16th overall in 2011.

It’s a little bit of hope, in a season that has gotten off to a real bumpy start, with injuries starting to sink their teeth into both the Rocket and Canadiens roster.

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