Gabriel Vilardi News

Vilardi broke out in 2022-23 with 23 goals, 18 assists, 122 SOG, 18 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus through 63 games with Los Angeles but has been traded alongside Rasmus Kupari, Alex Iaffalo, and a 2nd Rd Pick to Winnipeg for Pierre-Luc Dubois Tuesday. The 23-year-old right-winger amassed 78 points (41G/37A) through 152 games played in four years with the Kings after being drafted in the first round (11th overall) in 2017.

Vilardi has been out since March 26th due to an undisclosed injury and did not suit up for Game 1 vs. Edmonton but says he feels healthy and ready to rejoin the Kings for game 2 Wednesday. The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022-23, with his 23 goals, 41 points, 122 SOG, 18 PIMs and +10 plus/minus through 63 games prior to the injury.

Vilardi has been out since March 26th due to an undisclosed injury and is not expected to suit up for Game 1 vs. Edmonton even though he skated in practice Monday. The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022-23, with his 23 goals, 41 points, 122 SOG, 18 PIMs and +10 plus/minus through 63 games prior to the injury.

Vilardi has 23 goals, 18 assists, 122 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 63 games this season but will not play Tuesday vs. Calgary due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old is considered day-to-day with his most recent injury.

Vilardi was hurt in the Kings' last game but head coach Todd McLellan believes he'll be an option on Saturday. Vilardi skated in his usual spot with Alex Iafallo and Blake Lizotte in Friday's practice, a good sign that he'll play vs. the Jets.

Vilardi has 17 goals, 14 assists, 88 SOG, 10 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 45 games this season but will miss his first game of the year Thursday as he deals with an undisclosed injury. Vilardi is considered day-to-day.

Vilardi missed Sunday's game with an upper-body injury but was back on the ice for Monday's practice. Vilardi skated on the third line in Monday's session, which is a good sign that he'll be available vs. the Kraken. Head coach Todd McLellan would not commit to him playing, so monitor his status during Tuesday's morning skate.

With Andreas Athanasiou and Brendan Lemieux expected to be back in the Kings lineup on Saturday, Vilardi and Quinton Byfield will be healthy scratches.

Vilardi has not played since November 2nd but was activated from the COVID-19 protocol list and sent to the AHL yesterday. Rasmus Kupari has stepped up as the Kings' No.3 centre, so Vilardi can go back to the AHL and get back up to speed after a couple of weeks out of the lineup.

Vilardi has played in three straight games with the Kings but was sent to Ontario after Sunday's game so he could maintain his eligibility for the AHL playoffs. Vilardi has one goal on four shots with one assist in his first three NHL games.

Vilardi was the No.11 overall pick in 2017 has been limited over the last year with a back injury but recently started a conditioning stint with Ontario (AHL). The Kings top prospect has one assist in those four games and should be one of the top prospects at this year’s World Junior Championship.

Vilardi was limited to just 49 games this season, but posted an impressive 61 points (29G / 32A) for the Windsor Spitfires. He added six points in seven playoff games before they were eliminated by the London Knights, but was one of their best players during their Memorial Cup run, solidifying himself as a potential top 5 pick. He is a big bodied centre who excels below the dots with his impressive puck possession and on-ice vision.