C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)

[Pavels Dog]

That 2017 draft should really start showing in the NHL this season.

 

[Eegs]

But he didn’t even play in the world juniors.... 3C at best

You are likely being sarcastic, but he was still recovering from back issues last time he was eligible.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Would like to get Vilardi out of LA if Byfield and Turcotte emerge as the 1-2 punch. I think that will be a few years away, though, and I want Vilardi soon.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Would like to get Vilardi out of LA if Byfield and Turcotte emerge as the 1-2 punch. I think that will be a few years away, though, and I want Vilardi soon.

No point to move them , 1 would likely just move to wing. And I assume if you wanted 1 of them it starts with boldy.


But I figure they’ll go byfield vilardi carter or something

 

[Mats26]

Kopitar is still on this team for 4 more years so it makes things interesting in year 3 and 4 with Turcotte, Byfield and a prime Vilardi.

 

[ibleedkings]

Would like to get Vilardi out of LA if Byfield and Turcotte emerge as the 1-2 punch. I think that will be a few years away, though, and I want Vilardi soon.

Not gonna happen. I'm higher on him than Byfield and slightly Turcotte.

 

[Jackpot Jaret]

Hey guys, are there still injury concerns for Vilardi? Is his back still a problem?

 

[Mats26]

I don't think so, no word out of camp of any issues they seem to be behind him. He has 40+ Pro games before COVID and has looked healthy... no setbacks.

 

[rajuabju]

Hey guys, are there still injury concerns for Vilardi? Is his back still a problem?

Thankfully, it seems no. I just hope its all 100% behind him now and he can continue with his career for a long time. I personally think Vilardi is our #1 prospect, ahead of Byfield, Turcotte, etc... in terms of actually reaching his true ceiling (whereas Byfield has a higher actual ceiling but may not ever reach it).

 

[The Lukeman]

Maybe im mistaken but doesnt that put him at 220lbs? .. thats damn good and tells me his conditioning will be much better and so will his game!

Per a quote today, yeah he is about 215-220 lbs. kid is gunna be a beast this season

 

[LAKings88]

Player I’m most looking forward to watch as a Kings fan this year.

 

[Docgonzo]

Would like to get Vilardi out of LA if Byfield and Turcotte emerge as the 1-2 punch. I think that will be a few years away, though, and I want Vilardi soon.

All centers belong to us, ride Kopitar, Vilardi, Byfield, Turcotte down the middle for as long as you can. Unless they’re trading for a piece they desperately need.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

All centers belong to us, ride Kopitar, Vilardi, Byfield, Turcotte down the middle for as long as you can. Unless they’re trading for a piece they desperately need.

This might be why Turcotte ends up a winger, honestly. If we're rocking 6"3" 225 Kopitar, 6'3" 225 Vilardi, 6"5" 240 Byfield down the middle...

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Vilardi is the best of LA’s 3 top centre prospects.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

My "sneaky" calder pick this year.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

He's always been a great pick for the Kings and it looks like he worked his ass off to recover from the back injuries. Great AHL/NHL season last year. In part of that, his added muscle is gonna make him a force in very short time. He's gonna be practically immovable off the puck down low (a la Tomas Hertl) and IMO will become and similar impact of a player on the normal and fancy stat sheets like him. Super underrated player at this point.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm glad to see, that unlike some other Kings prospects, people seem to be rooting for Gabe. He's had a rough ride to get to this point. It's really two things: one, him fighting through injury to resume a derailed career, and two, he's just an excellent person. His interviews are great, he's extremely affable and friendly to everyone, and gives pretty thoughtful, mostly-cliche-free responses, which is refreshing.

However he's kind of a dick on the ice so I expect 30 games or so in all the goodwill is gone and I, for one, am looking forward to it!

 

[bland]

This might be why Turcotte ends up a winger, honestly. If we're rocking 6"3" 225 Kopitar, 6'3" 225 Vilardi, 6"5" 240 Byfield down the middle...

Problem with that is most of Turcotte's strengths all center on playing up the middle: puck support, slot reads, draws, attacking and defensive transition reads and speed. Put him on the wing and the only real benefit is that is that he loves being the F1 on puck retrievals. With his attitude and slight build, playing the wing could take years off of his career.

Byfield likely won't be a real top 6 impact player for at least 2 full seasons, so there is plenty of time for Vilardi to establish himself as a primary point producer. I see Turcotte as the 3c as early as March, with Kopitar and Byfield slowly changing roles over the next 3 years, and Vilardi as the firm 2c for the next decade.

Man, such horrible problems to have...

 

[Eegs]

My "sneaky" calder pick this year.

Sneaky like the Kool-Aid man

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Sneaky like the Kool-Aid man

OH YEAH!

 

[Osprey]

Vilardi has changed his jersey # to 13. With his history, what could go wrong?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Vilardi has changed his jersey # to 13. With his history, what could go wrong?

He wore #13 with Windsor in junior.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

He wore #13 with Windsor in junior.

The user was alluding to the superstition of the number 13 and Vilardi's injury history.

 

[kings11]

Guess whose been looking like a complete stud to start the season!
Tell me this isn't a feel good story even if its only 4 games into a shorten season.

 

[De Montreal]

Guess whose been looking like a complete stud to start the season!
Tell me this isn't a feel good story even if its only 4 games into a shorten season.

I was wondering about him. He's not getting lot of minutes it seems, 14:18 minutes in average. And he's been getting constantly less and less with each game.