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Armia Signs ELC

June 16, 2012, 10:01 PM ET [693 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Wondering when the Sabres sign their equivalent to Anze Kopitar?

Here you go.


Though he's not a centreman (yet), Armia gives the Sabres a huge, skilled forward who can skate well and play the 200 foot game. This kid has 25-30 goals in his stick each season. He's THAT good!

The Sabres have announced that they have signed their 2011 first round draft choice, uber Fiinn forward, Joel Armia.

I told you last earlier this month that Armia would be signing his ELC with Buffalo shortly. He's presently enrolled in his mandated military conscription service in Finland. He has one year left to serve on his present contract with Pori of the Finnish Elite League.


Here's the official release from the Sabres:


Armia (6’3”, 192 lbs., 5/31/93) was Buffalo’s first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and the first right wing selected in 2011. The native of Pori, Finland has totaled 36 goals and 31 assists in 102 career games during his first two seasons with Assat of the Finnish Elite League.

“We’ve been very impressed by Joel’s ability to make an impact in a professional league at such a young age,” said Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier. “His combination of size, skill and potential makes us hopeful that he will be a valuable asset to our organization for a number of years.”

This year, in his second SM-liiga season, Armia recorded 38 points (18+20) and a plus-12 rating in 54 games. He added two assists in three playoff games. His four game-winning goals were second-best among all Assat skaters.

Despite being the youngest player on his team in each of the last two seasons, Armia’s 18 goals ranked him second on his team each year. In 2010-11, Armia tied for most goals by an SM-liiga rookie and broke the Assat franchise record for most goals by a rookie.

Armia has represented Finland at the IIHF World U20 Championship in each of the last two years, recording five goals and two assists in seven games at the 2012 tournament in Alberta.
















***

I'll be ramping up NHL Draft coverage this week.

The Sabres will have two picks in the first round #s 12 and 21. They have two picks in the second round #42 and 44.


Will they keep all four picks, or will they trade them away? Will they move up in the draft? Will they trade established core players and picks for the the #1 centre they need?


Much more on that later.

Happy Father's Day!
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