The Winnipeg Jets, who have already been dealing with some injury troubles, got more bad news from the trainers room Tuesday morning.
After already losing Center Bryan Little for the season, and Mark Stuart to a broken hand, Joel Armia is the latest Jet that has been sideline long term.
Armia who was a mid-season call up for the Jets has really been coming into his own recently, and has earned the trust of head coach Paul Maurice. Armia has played in 34 games for the Jets this season, notching four goals and four assists. Most of that production has come in the last couple weeks where his role has been vastly expanded. Armia has seen his minutes sky rocket as well, from just a few per game, to among the team leaders. Armia has played 15 minutes or more in five of his last six games, and has seen ice time on both the powerplay and penalty kill.
Armia Finding his Stride
The Finnish forward had his struggles in the NHL, never quite finding his way in Buffalo. Winnipeg acquired him as part of the Evander Kane trade last year and he was kind of a forgotten piece after the success of Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford. However, as a first round pick he was expected to eventually become an NHL player.
The winger found some success in the AHL this year and earned a chance in the NHL. It took him a while to get going but he got an opportunity when the Jets traded Andrew Ladd and lost Little to injury. Armia was given the chance and he stepped up, he has impressed many with his play the last few weeks and has cemented his spot among the Jets forwards moving on.
"He's longer than day-to-day." -Maurice on Armia, who didn't skate today.
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 8, 2016
All this before the news today, Armia did not skate with the team before tonights game and Coach Maurice confirmed afterwards that he was injured. The Jets have not released what the injury is or the extent of it, but the team does expect Armia to miss a considerable amount of time.
Chance for Kosmachuk
The Winnipeg Jets called up Manitoba Moose forward Scott Kosmachuk this morning and he will likely make his NHL debut tonight. Kosmachuk has played in 59 games for the Jets AHL affiliate notching 14 goals and 13 assists. He is among the team leaders offensivly and has been especially hot as of late. Kosmachuk will join Chris Thorburn and Adam Lowry skating on the Jets third line tonight.