C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)
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ktownhockey
Registered User
Puck Handling not the best ? I coached him for 3 full seasons his puck skills are great. His work ethic is off the charts as well. He had 29 goals in 49 games battling injuries. His shot is fine.
I don't know what that poster is thinking. In my opinion, he is probably the hardest player to take the puck off of in the draft. He also has some flashy moves but in general is better at playing direct and using his control and strength to drive the center of the ice. It may not be to the level of Tavares and Matthews, but I see similarities with them.
Every PP coach in the league probably wants this kid. Quick hands, RH shot that he can place well and great down low. Oh and he can probably be a cornerstone center for your team.
Valuable player.
Sens of Anarchy
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LordNeverLose
Registered User
He reminds me of (talking stylistically of course) Tavares, the current incarnation more so even then 18 y/o Tavares in the way he plays. Strong on the puck, not flashy but great stickhandler, great shot, not a great skater but not terrible.
CanuckGame39
Registered User
It's interesting, I see a lot of similarities there too. But, thinking back, I remember a lot of people thought Tavares might have to be a winger long-term. His work-ethic and drive to improve his skating made him capable of being the strong all-situations center that he is.
It will be very interesting to see if Vilardi can make similar jumps in skating.
LordNeverLose
Registered User
That's why I said more the current Tavares than prospect Tavares. JT has worked his ass off to become a decent skater and defensive player.
Obviously I'm not saying Vilardi has Tavares' talent, because he for sure doesn't, but that's just the vibe I get when I watch him. I also get the sense he shares JT's work ethic and determination.
I actually think Vilardi has very similar questions that Tavares did as a junior. It will be very interesting to see if he can develop into a 2-way center. He played pretty much all of his draft year on the wing.
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
He played most of most games at RW, right? I feel like he played C on PK1 and quite a few Dzone starts. Am I wrong? Are we sure that this isn't just a coaching preference? Like maybe Thompson doesn't like his net front to be a C? Or that a guy with a great shot like that should be getting the puck off the draw rather than giving?
He played the wing because Windsor was trying to be a very strong team to try to win the OHL and the Memorial Cup, which meant they used veteran players like Brown and Nattinen at center over Vilardi. I also think they felt they needed a strong winger presence once they lost Fischer to the AHL.
It will be interesting to see what Windsor does with him going forward. He has the skill to be a center, but it's always a bit of a worry when a guy doesn't play the position you are projecting in junior.
"“I wanted him in our top six,†Thompson said. “He arguably plays the most minutes of our forwards because he also plays both special teams. He’s an engine for us. Any time he’s on the ice possession goes up."
"Thompson says, however, that Vilardi playing on the wing is only for now and that he’ll be back at his natural position moving forward, whether on an NHL team or in junior next season.
“I can’t stress it enough that he’s a centreman,†said Thompson. “Right-shot centremen are so valuable.â€"
https://www.thestar.com/sports/hock...spect-gabriel-villardi-learns-to-wing-it.html
Windsor is going to be pretty depleted next season aren't they? Vilardi may get a lot more playing time but his overall team qaulity will go down quite a bit. Especially if Sergachev makes the Habs which I think he has a good chance of doing.
Yeah, they still have some pieces and Brown (who has the number 1 center role) will still be around til at least the TDL.
They are almost guaranteed to lose Bracco. Day is AHL eligible (whether he is ready for that is another question), Sergachev is probably in the NHL but it isn't a guarantee. They'll still have Dipietro and Stanley. Vilardi should be penciled in as a number 2 center. Although, I could see them selling off Brown to recoup some assets.
Yeah Bracco, Addison, Nattinen, Knott, DiGiacinto and Chatfield are all probably gone for sure. Sergachev could be back but he's just so damn good he's probably ready for the NHL. Day is definitely a toss up. Stanley isn't much. Have to wonder if Windsor loses Sergachev if they will try to sell off some guys for futures.
oconnor9sean
Registered User
The Stars winning a lottery spot was such a big deal. Knowing we're going to get an elite prospect (likely Vilardi or Heiskanen) is comforting.
Could go multiple ways with #3. Very glad that Jim Nill and our scouting staff get their pick of the few guys rather than having to see who else is taken before us.
Could go multiple ways with #3. Very glad that Jim Nill and our scouting staff get their pick of the few guys rather than having to see who else is taken before us.
OHLTG
Registered User
Stanley could be a guy who's more valuable to Windsor than the pieces he brings in a deal. Windsor is going to have a very young team and having a nasty 6'7 d-man could be very useful.
He's not as nasty as many claim. He's big and fairly phsyical but he's not overly mean in any way.
MMC
Global Moderator
I can understand Vilardi dropping, but not as far as he did. He's going to be a great consolation for the Kings missing the playoffs this year
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