With next year's cap crunch I don't see why Florida would want a player with a near 2M cap hit on their roster

At this point (nearly into his final year) retaining on Armia hurts us more than keeping him.

Mtl would just buy him out at a cheaper cost than retention, anyways. This the same as ppl thinking Campbell needs retention when he can also be bought. No bonuses to be paid. Florida can do wtv they want but Mtl would never do this unless the full cap hit is taken off.

The way Armia is playing the last few games and his playoffs pedigree with connection to the Jets. I could easily see Chevy picking him up for nothing. Armia would fit like a glove in their bottom 6.

The Armia retention also would leave zero spots left this season and 1 retention spot for next year with the Petry retention already on the books and Allen, almost assuredly, will be moved with maybe retention.

The retention spot is worth quite a bit maybe a 3rd-4th. You buy out Armia at 800k next year and 1.2M the following and keep your 2nd retention spot in a rebuild. That is easily the better option to any retention on Armia who wont be worth anything, regardless. That way you can upsell Monahan if need be this TDL and Jake Allen next year.

Its a no brainer that should be factored in here more so than ppl think before posting an ACGM.

At the end of the day, he's scoring more than most of the Habs right now. Even if we sell, which seems more and more likely, I'd like to see the occasional goal. Keep him until TDL next year I guess.

He's 90% getting bought out but the way he's playing because of his pedigree, size and play style, I could see a team at the last minute much like a Dadonov move take him as a Hail Mary.

Especially, the Jets, whom know the player and shouldn't have a problem with the term as they prefer to get players tied to the org as they cant attract free agents. Chey wont give up a prospect and it's the kind of move he loves ala Names last season, always under the radar.

In the end, it doesnt matter to the Habs. He's an easy buy out, it would be the Jets loss without the extra depth. That leverage Hughes commands shouldnt be ignored. Armia has fit like a glove with Monahan/Roy and they have no reason to move him but cap flexbility next season. They have about 16 million in space rn for the deadline. So many possibilities atm but they arent throwing away a retention spot so easily.