WhatWhat
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2014
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I'm on the Heiskanen wagon and agree with you but what I said still stands and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we went with a Center at 3 even tho I want Heiskanen
C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)
- Thread starter Brew
- Start date
I'm on the Heiskanen wagon and agree with you but what I said still stands and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we went with a Center at 3 even tho I want Heiskanen
David Castillo
Registered User
Usually there are just one or two things prospects struggle with defensively: maybe they're not quick enough to backcheck (check for Vilardi), or they don't anticipate well (check), slow to disrupt passing lanes (check), too slow to reset against the rush (check), struggles with lateral movement (check), or can force turnovers (I'll give you that one)...and Vilardi seems to struggle with them all.
Obviously you don't draft Vilardi for his defense. But for a team like Dallas that needs talented two way forwards (Seguin, Benn, and Spezza are hardly the pinnacle of two way play), I'm just not a big fan of the fit for the Stars.
BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
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Nothing is quaranteed in this draft, but the way Dallas roster is buid I see more value in high end D-man, now and longterm.
Forward group has 2 u28 franchise forwards.
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Tripod
I hate this team
Only chance I see a Dman going top 2 is if a trade happens.
And it won't be Philly drafting him.
And it won't be Philly drafting him.
How do you think he forces turnovers? He backchecks really well, constantly lifting the players stick and slowing them down. And he has great anticipation which helps him react quickly to disrupt passing lanes. I watched his 6 game shift by shift video, plus another 1 game video, and all the memorial cup. There are tons of examples of him backchecking, anticipating the play and tipping passes in these 10 games. The smarts and effort are there. With improved skating he will only get better as well.
David Castillo
Registered User
You can force turnovers by simply being tall, and active. Vilardi's a big kid so of course he has a natural advantage puck jacking opponents. That doesn't make him a great backchecker, or anything else I listed. "Improved skating" is relative - how many big tall prospects with average skating developed into smooth skaters? Forwards can get away with being slow and choppy more than d-men. So I don't think it's the biggest knock on him or his potential. But it's pause for concern.
Except for a lot of his board play balances this out relative to other prospects. His strength on the boards and willingness to use it make him at the very least a competent two-way player as it allows his team to control possession.
He doesn't just create turnovers because he is big and active. The guy is very smart.
McDNicks17
Moderator
You're probably right, but I feel like there might be some Reinhart-esque regret taking one of them over Vilardi down the road.
I'm a big Vilardi fan though. Best player in the draft, IMO.
SoundwaveIsCharisma
Moderator
I'm also a big Vilardi fan, and from everything I've read and heard he's got a really good work ethic on him. Guys with his natural talent and size, combined with his hockey sense and work ethic tend to work out really well for the teams that draft them.
David Castillo
Registered User
Agreed. I'd much rather have a player who can possess the puck than a player who has "high defensive IQ" because he never has the puck. There are times when he reminds me of the Sedins along the boards.
I'm just thinking about Vilardi in the context of the Stars - they have a lot of big wingers (Nichushkin, Gurianov, Hintz if he's moved to wing, Tufte). I'd prefer to see them draft a nimble center than a "moar size" forward trio. Then again Benn-Seguin-Vilardi is not exactly something I'd complain about.
SoundwaveIsCharisma
Moderator
If the Stars draft Vilardi, I'd assume they would look at grooming him to be the two-way 2C.
masinaLFC
Registered User
maybe its just me and the whiskeys were catching up but I couldn't help but notice that when Erie pulled their goaltender for extra attacker, Vilardi wasn't on the ice much during the last minute of play and especially as the last 30 seconds is completely heated up.
VERY Sedin like in that he won most of his board battles and everytime he went into the corners, he came out with the puck and got a sweet pass off after patiently waiting and looking for the open man.
I admit I haven't seen him play much and wonder why he isn't used at center as much. can he play the hard minutes at center? is he good in faceoffs? kill penalties?
If Canucks draft him Vilardi/Horvat/Boeser could become a sick line but Canucks are looking for more of a pure center that CAN play those hard greasy minutes which is where Glass comes in
tigervixxxen
Optimism=Delusional
Windsor was an older team with quite a few 20 year old forwards and they were going to lean on those players more as they were built to win the Mem Cup. That's why Vilardi didn't play center but they wanted to keep him in the top 6 so he played wing. He did PK and was used in defensive situations, he just wasn't one of the first guys they went to. He should have plenty of opportunity to take a bigger step in that role next year with a lot of those players moving on.
SergioMomesso
Registered User
- Mar 8, 2011
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i watched Vilardi way back in December and his game looked quite better during the Mem cup. Even with sub par skating, he sure generated a bunch of scoring chances with his tenacious forchecking and good stick work. As a canuck fan, if he were to drop to #5, i would be very happy with him in Vancity.
Feebster has just released his Gabriel Vilardi 2016-17 highlight package:
Gabe is one of my favorites of this draft class. As I have said many times before, if his skating was any better, he would be a legitimate candidate to be chosen first overall.
Gabe is one of my favorites of this draft class. As I have said many times before, if his skating was any better, he would be a legitimate candidate to be chosen first overall.
Vilardi should be ranked #1, even with his mediocre skating ability.
Outside of skating, he has all the tools of a star. He's 6'3, 203lbs, could end up playing at 6'4, 220lbs when he's fully developed physically. His size combined with his exceptional hockey IQ will allow him to be a puck-battle winning machine at the next level. He's also got really quick hands, terrific vision and a strong shot with a quick release.
Don't see how Patrick and Hischier are a tier above. At the very least he should be in the conversation for 1st overall.
Outside of skating, he has all the tools of a star. He's 6'3, 203lbs, could end up playing at 6'4, 220lbs when he's fully developed physically. His size combined with his exceptional hockey IQ will allow him to be a puck-battle winning machine at the next level. He's also got really quick hands, terrific vision and a strong shot with a quick release.
Don't see how Patrick and Hischier are a tier above. At the very least he should be in the conversation for 1st overall.
Nac Mac Feegle
wee & free
- Jun 10, 2011
- 35,869
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Unfortunately we don't have access to NHL team draft rankings. Heiskanen is slated to be a top 5 pick, so is Vilardi.
A team could have Heiskanen at 1 and Vilardi at 5 (or vice versa) for all we know. Or a team could have Glass ahead of Vilardi and Heiskanen as well.
