Armitage, 24, has extended his Saints commitment through until the end of the 2016 season.
And reports are rife that champion Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell is in closing stages of a new contract that will prevent a frenzy for the gun play-maker at the end of this season.
Mitchell, 30, will be a free agent at the end of this season and has already been linked with a possible lure from at least one power club in premiership mode to consider a move from the Hawks.
As an unrestricted free agent after 10 years of unbroken service to the Hawks, Mitchell would be free to move to a new club of his choice regardless of any counter offer from Hawthorn.
Armitage is considered a valuable emerging commodity in the Saints experienced midfield with Hayes, at 33 and Nick Dal Santo, 29, in the twilight of their highly accomplished playing days.
Hayes, the Saints reigning fairest-and-best with his third club champion title and three-times All-Australian, is a season-by-season proposition with 2013 possibly even the trump clearances exponent's last.
Dal Santo is out of contract at the end of this season and will be a restricted free agent if he elects to explore options of finishing his career away from the Saints.
The 238-game star on-baller, though, has already indicated strongly he is likely to extend his career with the Saints.
The versatile Armitage played 43 of a possible 45 senior games over the past two seasons as he established a spot in the Saints midfield battery.
He celebrates his new deal on the back of his finest AFL season since making his debut in 2008.
Armitage averaged just over 20 possessions an outing last season at an impressive disposal efficiency of 70 percent as well as bagging 17 goals as he drifted forward from his regular on-ball duties.