I never said anything about top line playersWe hope. We can't count our chickens before they hatch.
So far, Lehkonen hasn't proven he can be more than a 3rd liner and Armia hasn't proved he can be a 4th liner. Kotkaniemi, Ylonen, and Ikonen haven't proven they can be NHLers.
Is he a UFA after the season? Really like Armia, I think there is major potential still and his size, playstyle, and rh shot are just what we needed.
Armia is for sure a better player than Lehkonen, if you ask me.
Lehkonen has proven to be a Top-6 player. He had 18 goals in his rookie season and had 4 points in 6 playoff games. And even though he was held back by injury last year, the rate he was scoring towards the end of the year, he was Top-6.
Armia last year was a 3rd line player in Winnipeg. So he has proven to be more than a 4th liner.
They both still have more to prove, for sure. But I think Lehkonen's done enough to prove he's more than a 3rd liner and Armia more than a 4th liner.
Joel Armia has value in other things such as:Lehkonen is still very young and has a much better shot , I think Lehkonen still has a lot to prove.
Joel Armia has value in other things such as:
Lehkonen is still very young and has a much better shot , I think Lehkonen still has a lot to prove.
Lehkonen is just fairly weak with the puck, not a particularly good skater either for his size. He has all the karakter in the world but I just don't think he is ever going to have what it takes to be a legit top 6 forward. Armia on the other hand is a force when he's on. However, both need to find consistency.
I watched all Jets games where Armia played. I think if he gets some quality line mates it could be his breakout year in Montreal.I got a chance to watch a lot of Jets games down the stretch last season. Armia will be a good pick up for us. Could see him spend some time on the second line covering for an injury, although he is best suited for the 3rd line.
Hopefully he shows what he can do and signs again next summer.
I imagine next year we will be rolling 4 lines. I think the top 3 RWs are gonna be Gallagher, Armia, and Scherbak. It really just depends on mixing and matching in terms of who would play with who.I got a chance to watch a lot of Jets games down the stretch last season. Armia will be a good pick up for us. Could see him spend some time on the second line covering for an injury, although he is best suited for the 3rd line.
Hopefully he shows what he can do and signs again next summer.
That line would be a great checking line and if DLR developed more offensive skills they would be a good 2 way line.Lehkonen-DLR-Armia
I’m expecting a 20-20 season from Armia at a minimum. He’s damn good.