The Sabres need at center is immediate. The 16th pick in this draft was never going to address that.
I partially disagree.
The need for center is both immediate AND long-term, because not only do we lack NHL centermen we lack prospects at the position as well. If we do not start picking centers now, we will continue to have immediate needs at center 3-5 years from now.
When Armia hears about this work ethic thing he will boost that apartment for sure. Weird Finnish prospect due to the size and almost for everything...O.J.? No..Selanne? No...It's Armia...It will be interesting when he will get some more weight maybe he could use it more effectively.
Joel Armia, F Finland- Took charge up front for Finland and proved himself a solid first-round selection with his offensive performance. His big frame needs work to add mass and strength, but he's got a long stride and the ability to generate speed and separation. He's still a little gangly and not overly strong on his skates, but getting there. A vicious killer between the hashmarks- wants the puck and knows what to do with it when he gets it. One of the best pure goal scorers in the draft and impressed us with his vision and playmaking skills in this tourney [WJC-18] as well. Creative and a better puck distributor than we gave him credit for. Not very physical, but not a soft player, either. Uses his trunk and long limbs to create space and bull his way to the net. Doesn't speak English very well yet, but uses two very important words often: "puck" and "score". His effort without the puck is what is holding him back from a top-10 selection in our view. He can be lackadaisical and is inconsistent in his backchecking efforts. If its a maturity thing, he could be a homerun pick, but if he's only motivated offensively, then he's a one-dimensional guy and may never be as good a player as he should be.
Any chance his "lack of effort/dissappearing at times" has anything to do with his conditioning, either lack there of or because he's a boy amongst men?
At first I wasn't happy with Armia. McNeil was still there, and I wanted him. But now that I've processed it, and read more about his potential (Don't like his work ethic questions, but love the talent), I'm pretty ok with this pick. We aren't that stacked at LW like we are at RW, so in a few years this could turn out to be an incredible pick.
I agree with everything, except isn't Armia listed as RW?
Any chance his "lack of effort/dissappearing at times" has anything to do with his conditioning, either lack there of or because he's a boy amongst men?
Well, he wasn't everywhere at once or that physical hitting everybody since I doubt the plan for him for the past season was over 50 games in SM-liiga and then a couple of junior tournaments and maybe he didn't want to tire himself too much (could have gotten some advice from the coaches about it) since he was/is physically raw.
Will Armia be coming over for the dev camp? If the work ethic issues really are legitimate I'd love for Ruff to start getting to work with him right away.
I can't wait to see this kid at the Dev Camp. Hope he doesn't have visa issues as it would be fun to watch him up close and personal against his prospect peers. Something tells me he goes right to the very top of the Sabres prospect lists. There are no doubts about maturity (Kassian) or footspeed (McNabb, Adam) or size (Enroth) dogging this kid. He's got all the physical tools and knows how to score... this is there top prospect right out of the gate.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle
Can one of our new Finns expand on the required military service?
If he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to. More likely though that he goes and gets it over with, but for (future) pro atheletes it is made pretty easy and painless.
If he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to. More likely though that he goes and gets it over with, but for (future) pro atheletes it is made pretty easy and painless.
Thanks, I didn't know about it until Mikko Koivu's recent service and just thought I'd ask.
It's just a one time thing then?
I agree with everything, except isn't Armia listed as RW?
Siiiiiiiick
Damn, you're right For some reason, I thought for sure he was a LW. Oh well. By the time he's ready to be in our top 6, Pominville's contract will be up. Pommers won't necessarily be allowed to walk, but it gives us options.
Damn, you're right For some reason, I thought for sure he was a LW. Oh well. By the time he's ready to be in our top 6, Pominville's contract will be up. Pommers won't necessarily be allowed to walk, but it gives us options.
They have some versatile wings. Poms played some LW early in his career. Stafford has (recall the "flip" games where he and Vanek switched sides?) too so it isn't necessarily them that go.
Note! Not sure where this questionable workethic stuff comes. Nobody has showed me a link to a interview etc. of coach or anyone saying that about Armia. He took a giant leap last season especially with his skating, from under-average in juniors to average to over-average in Finnish Elite League. Bit of a perimeter player, raw but veery high ceiling. Enjoy
Sounds good but I hope the kid learns how to play around the net because the nHL is anything but a perimeter game these days.
I like the pick quit a lot. McNeill seems like it'd have made more sense but this guy has some serious sniper potential. Let's not forget that he's playing against men and veterans in a league that is closest to the NHL style of gameplay in a country that produces a high portion of the world's best goalies.
He's already said to have some good defensive abilities. Adding muscle and generating consistency are what we'll need to see. He could be a steal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rowley Birkin
Problem is, I liked the Zagrapan pick for the same boom/bust reason. We can afford to take the risk but... McNiell was available. Like it but still wary.
And I'd like to get into the 2nd somewhere.
I really don't think many see him as a boom or bust player. His low end is probably a guy who is a good goal scorer but a floater. It seems at the very least he'll be a good goal scorer and his potential is an all-star sniper with a well-rounded game.
yeah i like the pick a lot too. He has the size to be one of our bigger forwards on the team and the skill set to potentially become a first liner. I actually wouldn't mind seeing him in the ahl. Though i am not sure if we have another speed guy down there to develop with.
His contract almost assuredly has a clause that allows him to get out of his contract if he signs an NHL contract.
We will probably hear the details of it soon.
That's true. Every single SM-liiga(Finnish Elite League) contract has an NHL clause, because SM-liiga and Finnish Hockey Association has a transfer agreement with the NHL. The transfer fee is $225k per player.
Interesting choice but i think i would gamble and pick one of Zack Phillips or Vladislav Namestnikov , he sounds russian but grow up in North America and played for Dale Hunter.
