According to a report out of Sweden, the Buffalo Sabres have signed their 2011 first-round pick Joel Armia to his three-year entry-level contract (link in Swedish).
Armia was taken 16th overall by the Sabres in last year’s draft and spent this past year playing for Assat in the Finnish elite league. Armia finished the year with 18 goals and 20 assists in 54 games for Assat this season and also represented Finland at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton/Calgary.
According to the Swedish report, Armia will be playing one more season with Assat before coming to North America as he’s got another year on his contract there. Armia is also fulfilling his service to the Finnish army this summer. The Sabres will hope Armia’s offensive output continues to increase as they could use more offense regardless.