With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Joel Armia!

Joel Armia

Birthdate: May 31, 1993

Birthplace: Pori, Finland

Height: 6’3

Weight: 216 lbs

Position: Right/left wing

Shoots: Right

Draft: 1st round, 16th overall, 2011 NHL Entry Draft

2024-25 season

Joel Armia had a solid season for the Montreal Canadiens, recording 29 points (11 G, 18 A) in 81 games. Armia, 32, played a vital role for the Canadiens as a two-way forward on the fourth line and the penalty kill, helping the franchise secure its first playoff berth since 2021, when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jake Evans finds Joel Armia with a sneaky pass! 🤭 pic.twitter.com/BdRS2kVJbt

— NHL (@NHL) December 24, 2024

Armia primarily played on a line with Jake Evans and Emil Heineman, with Evans centering the trio and producing a Corsi percentage of 53.2%, according to MoneyPuck. He was a prowess on the penalty kill, and played the second-most minutes among Montreal forwards and fourth among forwards overall in the NHL, according to Natural Stat Trick. His strong penalty kill asset led to three short-handed goals, tying him with Evans for the team lead. He also tallied two assists in five playoff games as the Canadiens were sent home by the Washington Capitals.

No stick, no problem for Joel Armia 🤣 pic.twitter.com/vnfvo1qH5F

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 17, 2025

2025-26 outlook

Armia’s 2024-25 campaign earned him a two-year contract with the LA Kings. Like his time in Montreal, I expect him to play a significant role on the penalty kill and two-way stability on the fourth line for Jim Hiller’s squad. As is the case with Corey Perry, Armia should bring a veteran presence to that fourth line, which shouldn’t prevent Hiller from playing that revamped line come playoff time. With Armia in the fold, the Kings will now have four players (Perry, Phillip Danault, and Joel Edmundson) from the Canadiens’ 2021 Cup Final run on their roster.

Joel Armia is reportedly signing a contract with the @LAKings!#NHLFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/H5ysYTIArb

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) July 1, 2025

Featured image credit: Marc DeRoisers/Imagn-images

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