Joel Armia doesn’t like the media in Quebec. I have no desire to like it either.
I hope young people like Xavier Simoneau and Jan Mysak teach him a lesson in perseverance. And that they will get better.
It’s not gentle, I agree. But the fans deserve better than a Joel Armia.
In 2019, he told Finnish regional newspaper Stakunnan Kansa that he was avoiding the Montreal media.
“They understood that interviewing me wasn’t going to make a very good story,” he said.
“The less you say, the less you will be asked,” the article also says.
According to Finnish media, Armia stated that he had not learned French and had no desire to learn it.
His compatriot Jesperi Kotkaniemi also spoke about Armia’s dislike of the media in an interview with Sportsnet last May.
“Joel Armia hates all media,” said KK, who was advised by Armia to stay away from journalists.
It’s part of the job
The media is one of the rare connections between the fans and the team. It’s sad when athletes forget this. Dealing with the media is part of the job of professional athletes. The athlete does not have to be accountable like a minister, but he must understand the importance of speaking to fans, through the media and not just through his Instagram or Tiktok account.
Sure, he may feel uncomfortable in front of the camera or be the shy, reserved type. But you don’t have to tell others to avoid the media.
We often talk about the pressure in Montreal and the ruthless media. It’s so nonsense.
The traditional media that follows the Canadian every day and says that they are unfairly harsh on the team, no, I don’t see that. There are certainly some more vitriolic examples, including this column, but I don’t think Joel Armia went through hell because of journalists.
It is also sometimes said that the partisans were very strict. But the Bell Center was packed and caused a stir when the team was eliminated in January.
It seems to me that living with the media in Montreal shouldn’t be so difficult. And in the worst case scenario, Armia will receive $3.4 million per year in return. It might be worth giving the journalists something intelligent response. Or learn 20 words in French.
To respect the fans
It’s not Youppi who pays him his millions, but the Quebecers who save money to watch him skate.
It’s a shame, because when she was younger, Armia was anything but a flop. He is an exceptional talent.
Before coming to North America, he scored 100 points in 149 games in the Finnish major league. For a man under 20, that’s very, very strong. He was obviously a first-round pick.
But his offensive potential was never exhausted. He was traded from the Sabers to the Jets and Canadiens, where he carved out his niche as a defensive forward.
He had some great moments in the playoffs as CH reached the finals and signed a four-year, $13.6 million contract.
It’s been terrible since then. Nothing happens offensively and defensively he suddenly takes steps backwards, as several statistics show (read here).
I spoke to one of his former teammates. “Joel is the most talented guy I’ve ever played with. If he puts in a little effort, he is dominant.
But he hasn’t forced himself to play Armia often, so he has an ordinary career. And it could happen before, because he could count on his talent and his excellent hands. But now he doesn’t follow him anymore, no matter how hard he tries.
Joel Armia doesn’t deserve the passionate Canadiens fans.