The Winnipeg Jets have signed forward Gabriel Vilardi to a six-year, $7.5M per year contract extension, per Elliotte Friedman. This signing allows the Jets to avoid salary arbitration with the forward while locking down one of their top players from last season. Vilardi’s new contract runs through the 2030-31 season.
Vilardi, 25, had a breakout campaign last season, with 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points in 71 games. He was originally selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2o17 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings, however, couldn’t find a spot for him on the roster. Soon after, the Jets acquired Vilardi two seasons ago in a trade with the Kings, sending Pierre-Luc Dubois to LA in exchange.
Vilardi spent the majority of last season on Winnipeg’s top line alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. This contract gives the Jets additional flexibility with roster construction now that forward Nikolaj Ehlers has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Vilardi Extension Offers Winnipeg Options
Vilardi is the third-highest paid player on the roster behind Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck. The NHL’s salary cap is set to go up by nearly $30M over the next three seasons. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff now has more room to improve the Jets, who won the President’s Trophy last season.
Vilardi’s breakout campaign worked wonders for Winnipeg’s power play. For the first time in years, the Jets secured a net-front presence. He’s scored above 20 goals in each of his two seasons with the jets, with 97 points across 118 games. This next season is key for Vilardi’s development.
Jets Prep for Playoff Push
In a postseason press conference, Cheveldayoff emphasized the importance of building for a long playoff run. “The playoffs are a life of their own,” Cheveldayoff said. “You have to earn your right to get to the playoffs. Then you have to earn your right to get through the different rounds. We talked about it a lot. (Head coach Scott Arniel) coined the phrase quite a bit: it’s about the moments when you come into the playoffs.
“Every single moment matters… in talking to the guys, those common themes are just understanding how important each and every detail is from game to game. We want to get to that point where you have the battle scars, you have the knowledge, you know what to expect and what it’s going to take to go beyond that next level.”
Last season, the Jets came up short in the second round of the playoffs against the Dallas Stars. This year, they’ll look to Vilardi, who scored just one goal and four points in nine games, for some extra help. Without Nikolaj Ehlers, the Jets have had to find additional assistance in free agency. The notable names they’ve signed so far include Gustav Nyquist and Tanner Pearson, both of whom will serve depth roles on the roster.
Dylan Samberg is the only restricted free agent left on Chevledayoff’s list. After that, he’ll focus his efforts on extensions for players like Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor.
Jets Extend Top Line Forward