Montreal locks up Joel Armia with new deal

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced on Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with Joel Armia. The deal has an average annual value of $3.4 million. Armia would have been an unrestricted free agent come Wednesday without the new contract.

Armia, 28, skated in 41 games with the Canadiens in 2020-21. He registered 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists). He enjoyed a solid playoff run alongside veteran linemates Corey Perry and Eric Staal, with whom he formed a highly effective trio. He contributed to the team's success with five goals and three assists in 21 postseason contests, helping Montreal advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

In seven seasons in the NHL, Armia has appeared in 336 regular season games with the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and Montreal, recording 125 points, including 62 goals. Armia was selected in the first round (16th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in 2011. He was acquired by the Canadiens in July 2018 along with goaltender Steve Mason in return for defenseman Simon Bourque and two draft picks. Armia played the 300th game of his NHL career on January 21 in Vancouver.