Jets call up Joel Armia and place Ondrej Pavelec on IR

The Winnipeg Jets website announced that the Jets have called up 6’3 winger Joel Armia while placing Ondrej Pavelec on IR. Armia was part of the package the Buffalo Sabres constructed as return for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and Jason Kasdorf.

The Moose have been struggling to create offense with a league worst 26 goals for, 5 less than the second worst team. It hasn’t just been a shooting percentage problem either, as a 25.4 shots for per game also ranks the Moose as the worst offensive team int he AHL.

Armia has been one of the few to be able to create any offense. The large winger has picked up 3 goals and 4 assists, just one point shy of being tied for second in point production. Armia has produced 1.87 shots per game, the sixth highest for the Moose and 5th highest for forward.

Armia has one NHL game played, where the Buffalo Sabres took on the Detroit Red Wings in what was quite the one sided match. The Sabres controlled only 26.7 per cent of shot attempts with Armia on the ice, but the team only controlled 27.6 with him on the bench. It was for games like this that many thought the Sabres were trying to protect Armia by keeping him in the AHL.

Pavelec has officially been placed on IR with a lower body injury. 

With Connor Hellebuyck already called up and Nic Petan re-assigned to the AHL, Pavelec was needed to be placed on IR to make room for Armia’s call-up.