Prospect Profile: Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux

The Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets threw down a blockbuster trade yesterday when the Jets shipped Evander Kane to Buffalo. Kane is out possibly for the season with a shoulder injury, but the Sabres accomplished two things in this trade. First, they added a future star asset, and second, they basically assured themselves of Connor McDavid by finishing dead last in the league.

Going to Winnipeg are defenseman Tyler Myers, who can help their defensive depth, and forward Drew Stafford. They also receive two prospects, Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux. Ultimately, these two will be what decides if the Jets won this trade down the road.

Armia was the 16th overall pick in 2011 to the Sabres. The 21 year old had 25 points so far this season with the Rochester Americans and he had 27 total last season. He’s a big guy at 6’3 and creates space for himself and likes to charge the net. Some scouts have gone as far as to call him a “sniper”.

A young player, Armia won’t see the Jets this season, but he will boost a St. Johns IceCaps team that needs a playoff push.

Meanwhile, Lemieux was a second round pick in last year’s draft. He was actually the first pick of the second round, so he was a borderline first round talent. He’s the son of Claude Lemieux, which is also interesting. He’s an agitator, with over 100 penalty minutes with the Barrie Colts of the OHL, but he also has an output of 35 goals this season.

He’s only 18 so he’s a few years away, but it seems like Winnipeg has added some solid future talent for their roster.