After putting up solid numbers as a versatile bottom-six forward for the Montreal Canadiens, with double-digit goals and 29 total points, winger Joel Armia was one of the underrated free agent signings this summer for the Los Angeles Kings and new general manager Ken Holland.
Amid a bevy of free agent signings by Holland and the Kings earlier this offseason in the summer, Armia went under the radar since he wasn't as flashy as the addition of veteran winger Corey Perry. Armia was a key two-way forward for the Habs who contributed offensively and was a crucial penalty killer who helped Montreal break its playoff drought this past spring in the 2025 postseason.
The value the Kings get out of the Armia signing shouldn't go unrecognized, as he could be the best value contract that Holland and the LA front office signed this offseason.
Joel Armia 2024-25 player season recap
2024-25 season stats: 81 games played, 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, -2
2024-25 advanced stats: 10.6 shooting %, 8.5 5-on-5 shooting %, 1.5 points/60, 2.1 point shares, -0.2 WAR
2024-25 possession metrics (with Kings): 46.1 CF%, 44.4 SCF%, 100.9 PDO, 42.5 HDCF%
In 81 games played for the Habs this past regular season in the East, Armia scored 11 goals and 18 assists, good for 29 total points. He played mostly on a line with left wing Emil Heineman and center Jake Evans. Armia played alongside Evans on the top penalty kill unit for the Habs' special teams this past season.
Armia's three shorthanded goals tied with Evans for the team lead this past season for the Habs. He's scored multiple shorthanded goals two seasons in a row for Montreal.
In the postseason, Armia and Evans were the top unit for the special teams on the penalty kill in the first round loss against the Washington Capitals in the East.
It's also worth mentioning that Armia got some time on the power play for the Habs as a plug-and-play piece when the coaching staff needed someone to step up last season. Armia had three assists on the power play for the Habs last season, including one on a game-winning goal for Montreal down the stretch in the regular season.
Joel Armia 2025-26 Los Angeles Kings season preview
Armia's proven ability to consistently contribute to the special teams unit on the penalty kill, along with scoring double-digit goals, makes him a good and versatile fit on head coach Jim Hiller's fourth line forwards for this upcoming season in the West. Armia has combined for 28 goals and over 50 points scored in the past two regular seasons with the Habs.
Hiller and the Kings are getting a veteran in Armia who can be a consistent and proven veteran two-way anchor for the fourth-line forward group this upcoming season. The Kings also signed the veteran Perry in free agency this past offseason, giving the Kings two players who scored double-digit goals last regular season and