Joel Armia signed his contract following the 2021 playoffs, where he performed excellently, particularly alongside Corey Perry and Eric Staal.
Since then, he hasn't been able to maintain consistency in his performances, and his contract has quickly become a burden for the team. The fact that he has been placed on waivers and sent to Laval multiple times, despite playing for a team that isn't an offensive powerhouse, speaks volumes.
Nevertheless, he remains an effective player on a third or fourth line for puck protection. If he were paid half of his salary, he likely wouldn't be a topic of discussion.
The proposed solution is to trade Armia to the Boston Bruins, who reportedly need a player of his style to make a deeper playoff run. Kent Hughes would retain half of his salary, making it a more affordable acquisition for the Bruins.
It's an interesting proposition, and according to the provided link, a 3rd or 4th-round pick could be part of the deal. Hughes would be responsible for paying $1.7 million of Armia's salary next year, which could be the reason for a return in the trade.
Whether you agree with this proposal is subjective and depends on various factors, including your evaluation of Armia's contribution, the team's needs, and the potential return in the trade.
