Six More Years Of Vilardi Parties

While they may have lost out in the Nikolaj Ehlers sweepstakes, the Winnipeg Jets locked up a big piece of their top-six forwards by inking Gabriel Vilardi to a six-year, $45 million contract on Friday. The biggest return the Jets got in Pierre-Luc Dubois trade posted career highs with 27 goals, 34 assists, 61 points and 71 regular-season games in 2023-24. The Jets are hoping he can replicate those numbers over the next six seasons as the big power forward was a bright spot for the Jets last season.

The 25 year-old forward was a star on the power-play where he notched 12 goals and 13 assists for the franchise, and it became clear as the season progressed that he was a key piece of the Jets' offence. While an injury sidelined him for the first four games of the playoffs, it looked like Vilardi was settling in before the Dallas Stars eliminated the Jets in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As much as the Jets would have liked to have Ehlers back in Jets' colours, it's hard to argue that 82-30-6 the Jets boast with Vilardi in the lineup isn't something they wasn't to keep going in the 118 games he has in that time, so Kevin Cheveldayoff locked that up with the six-year deal to avoid an arbitration hearing with the forward. As he's improved his goal and point total every season to date, it seemed elementary that the Jets and Vilardi would find a figure that pleased both sides. Those numbers are $7.5 million annually until 2031.

Did both sides get a good deal? The jury will always be out on this contract unless Vilardi averages 30 goals and 70 points annually, but the potential is there for him to do that. His style of play may lead to more bumps and bruises meaning that time on the injured list could be a reality, but it's hard not to like Vilardi's soft hands around the net where he does a lot of damage. If he continues to show his playmaking skills that resulted in 34 assists last season, this could be a contract that no one will question. Again, time will tell.

What I like most about this deal is Vilardi's versatility. He can play on any of the top-three lines and not look out of place, and we know he works well with a handful of players including former Kings linemate Alex Iafallo. If the Jets were to acquire another impact winger to replace Nikolaj Ehlers, they don't have to limit their search to second- or third-line wingers. Vilardi has shown he can play up and down the lineup with his best fit curremtly being alongside Scheifele and Connor. That could change, but Vilardi has shown he can adapt.

This was an important signing for the Jets, and it's one that should keep the doomsday fans from looking at a lottery pick next summer. Vilardi makes the Jets better with him in the lineup, and that's exactly the kind of feel-good signing that the Jets needed. Along with the Morgan Barron signing earlier this week, the Jets are down to just one restricted free agent. If they can get Dylan Samberg under contract soon, the Jets will have had a fairly good offseason.

By no means should the Jets pat themselves on the back because the hard work starts in September. Getting the right guys under contract is always the challenge in the offseason, and there are still a ton of questions about this lineup in terms of who will play where, who will play with whom, and what will the opening night roster resemble.

One thing is certain, though: the Vilardi Party continues in 2025-26!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!