Vilardi embraces chance for larger opportunity after trade to Jets

WINNIPEG — When the rumour mill got going and his name ended up right in the heart of it, Gabriel Vilardi wasn’t glued to his phone trying to figure out what his immediate future was going to bring.

The newest member of the Winnipeg Jets understands that trades are part of the business and in his first Zoom call with members of the media, Vilardi was quick to embrace his new situation, which should come with an enhanced role.

“Yeah, more opportunity, obviously. Last year I kind of played more of a bottom six role,” said Vilardi, who had 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games. “Hopefully I just want to keep growing my game and getting better, and obviously helping the Jets however that is. I'm just excited to kind of get going there.”

The centrepiece of a deal that includes fellow forwards Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick in 2024 that originally belonged to the Montreal Canadiens, Vilardi is a natural centre who also spent time at right wing after being chosen 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Draft.

He brings size and a goal-scoring ability that includes a quick release, a heavy shot and an ability to get to the net.

“I’m not too sure where they’re going to have me slated, if it’s wing or centre. I played a bit of both last year,” said Vilardi. “Played in the playoffs at centre. That’s another good thing that I got from my time in LA. They had a bunch of centre’s and they had centre prospects, so they moved me to the wing and I kind of learned to play both. Wherever they want me, I’ll play. I just want to help the team however that is. I feel comfortable in both positions.”

With the departure of Pierre-Luc Dubois and the future of Mark Scheifele still up in the air, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Vilardi to have an opportunity to start next season at centre, though that won’t likely be determined until after free agency is open.

That Vilardi has the ability to fill one of those spots is an obvious benefit, especially considering he had the opportunity to be around two-way forces like Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault during the past several seasons.

“I got comfortable playing right wing. I think earlier in my career when I was at centre more, (Kings head coach) Todd (McLellan) didn’t really trust me as much in the D-zone. I think my game has matured since then,” said Vilardi. “I think I can play both. I like playing centre. I was always a centre growing up. It wasn’t until I turned pro that I kind of made the switch to wing. Again, I really feel confident in saying I can play either or, wherever they want me.”

McLellan is someone who pushed Vilardi to develop his all-around game, culminating with his breakout offensive season in 2022-23.

“Being more of a shoot-first guy kind of changed that for my game,” said Vilardi. “I think one thing that Todd was very hard on me was my defensive game in terms of the first few years of my pro career. I think last year I kind of turned that corner and he kind of relied on me a bit more in the defensive end, which is obviously huge. Like I said, I'm going to keep saying it, I want to just keep growing my game. I think there's still a lot I can do.”

Vilardi has dealt with some health concerns dating back to after his draft year, but he’s put the back issues behind him and is encouraged.

“If you ask any professional athlete, you don’t want to be injured. It sucks when you’re not playing, especially when I dealt with some stuff really early, right away,” said Vilardi. “Getting drafted and missing not some but a lot of time of development. I feel like I’m just kind of over that hump. It sucks being injured. You want to be healthy. You want to be there to play and improve and help your team. I’ve been fairly healthy for the last few seasons, I’ve just got to try and stay healthy.”

As a pending restricted free agent, Vilardi needs a new contract but also showed his sense of humour when asked what might be different this time around (when he has arbitration rights) to the previous summer when he had little leverage in negotiations.

“A little different this year. Obviously last year it wasn’t much negotiation. It was just here, take this. And then, thank you,” said Vilardi. “This year’s a little different because of my season. But there wasn’t much from LA. Now, just moving forward, the Jets traded for me so obviously they want me. I want to be there, I’m excited. Hopefully we can get something done here soon. I think for the most part, it’s just my agent. I don’t really know much.”

Making the move with a pair of teammates will certainly help in the transition process and he was more than happy to provide a scouting report on both Iafallo and Kupari.

“It’s great to come with other guys. Obviously it will help all of us settle in hopefully a little sooner. Both really good guys off the ice, goes without saying,” said Vilardi. “And then Alex, he does everything. He’s very good defensively. Very trustworthy guy. Sneaky skill. He does everything really well. And then I think (Kupari) is just a very speedy guy. Lots of skill. Just kind of that raw speed. He plays very hard, too. They’re both good guys and they work very hard off the ice, too.”

Adding three quality forwards helps the Jets in their goal of remaining a team pushes for the playoffs, but Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff still has a number of items on his to-do list, including deciding on the futures of goalie Connor Hellebuyck, former captain Blake Wheeler, and Scheifele, among others.

The Jets currently hold the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and they’re hopeful to add a quality player to their prospect pool.

“You always hope to get a player higher on your list,” Jets director of amateur scouting Mark Hillier told reporters in Nashville. “A lot of the names up to 20 are the names you hear on other boards. They’re kind of the same players, in different orders. I think it changes a little bit after that, or spreads out. But we’ll have our favourite guys. I’m hoping if we stay at 18, we get the guy in the 10 range on our list. You always hope to hit a home run. If you can get a guy that high (on your list), you think you’re hitting a home run.”