Restricted free agent Gabriel Vilardi signed a new deal today with the Winnipeg Jets, avoiding arbitration. He has really developed his game over the past few seasons, and this contract rewards that effort. Vilardi signed for six years, and $45 million, or $7.5 million AAV. The contract locks him up until the end of the 2030-31 season, when Vilardi will be 31 years old, and an unrestricted free agent.
Gabe Vilardi agrees to a 6-year, $7.5M AAV contract extension to stay in Winnipeg.
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Depth Scorer Gabriel Vilardi Signs a New Deal with the Winnipeg Jets
Gabriel Vilardi was originally a 2017 NHL Entry Draft pick, 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings. He joined the Winnipeg Jets during the 2023 offseason as part of the monster Pierre-Luc Dubois deal. However, since that time, compounded by the fact that Dubois is now a Capital, it really feels like the Jets have come out on top of that trade. Vilardi’s production for the Jets is a huge part of that opinion.
Over the past three seasons now, that includes his last one in L.A., Vilardi has notched at least 22 goals in each of them. Moreover, his most recent season in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he really took a big stride in his game. He had career-highs of 27 goals, 34 assists, and 61 points while playing over 18-minutes-a-game, and putting up a nearly 21 shooting percentage. Shall we go on? It was also the most he had played on the power play, as he managed some time on the top unit under head coach Scott Arniel when the opportunity presented itself.
What Does He Bring to the Table
Needless to say, as Gabriel Vilardi signs, what he can do on the ice is, he can wheel. This is a great signing. He is the type of producer, as evidenced by his stats, that can fill in on either of your top-three lines or top-two powerplay units.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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