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C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)

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hradekbr said:
This will be looked at 5 years from now as the steal of the draft. Not even really a steal. Just incompetence by teams in front of them that let the Kings luck out. I had him as the 4th best player coming into the draft.
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Well crap if "hradekbr" had him pegged at 4th then anything less is just unacceptable :laugh:
 
Not surprising when a Euro player drops down the draftboard but pretty surprising when a CHL player does. Skating must be the issue that dropped him and 10 teams apparently felt it was a significant enough issue to pass on him. Surprising to say the least but also concerning.
 
Originally Posted by lawrence ----
"One the more dangerous deceiving picks, absolute no go for my team. Skating is weak,
puck handling is not the best, shot is just average too how he is ranked this high
is beyond me."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ha also ranks poorly in brain-surgery and Theoretical Physics, and is ill-equipped
to fly a Harrier jet aircraft at this time.

Did the Kings screw-the-pooch?
 
tomd said:
Not surprising when a Euro player drops down the draftboard but pretty surprising when a CHL player does. Skating must be the issue that dropped him and 10 teams apparently felt it was a significant enough issue to pass on him. Surprising to say the least but also concerning.
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We were wondering aloud on our forum if there was some behind-the-scenes stuff--like bad interviews--that dropped him. Someone said he missed the lower-body combine testing because of soreness from the playoffs (may have been said in this very thread but haven't checked). not sure any of those are THE factor, but could be a combo. Skating seems to be the flavor-du-jour of the moment so I can see why an average, ugly skater would be a flag.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
We were wondering aloud on our forum if there was some behind-the-scenes stuff--like bad interviews--that dropped him. Someone said he missed the lower-body combine testing because of soreness from the playoffs (may have been said in this very thread but haven't checked). not sure any of those are THE factor, but could be a combo. Skating seems to be the flavor-du-jour of the moment so I can see why an average, ugly skater would be a flag.
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Don't worry, the same thing was said about Drai, and he seems to be doing okay!
 
Wouldn't have taken him any lower than #4. Really think the Kings got a steal here. He's more of a project type than a guy like Glass but has way higher upside and better skills/tools.

I was thinking to myself before the draft well before the Kings picked. No chance that he gets past the Kings....they need scoring but this could be Kopitar 2.0- dropping due to concerns about skating. Then I remembered, Lombardi isn't there anymore....at least I thought that's who was in charge when Kopitar was picked.
 
firstemperor said:
Wouldn't have taken him any lower than #4. Really think the Kings got a steal here. He's more of a project type than a guy like Glass but has way higher upside and better skills/tools.

I was thinking to myself before the draft well before the Kings picked. No chance that he gets past the Kings....they need scoring but this could be Kopitar 2.0- dropping due to concerns about skating. Then I remembered, Lombardi isn't there anymore....at least I thought that's who was in charge when Kopitar was picked.
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Lombardi didn't draft Kopitar, Dave Taylor did. Either way, this was a good pick by the Kings. They clearly didn't think he would fall this far either.
 
firstemperor said:
Wouldn't have taken him any lower than #4. Really think the Kings got a steal here. He's more of a project type than a guy like Glass but has way higher upside and better skills/tools.

I was thinking to myself before the draft well before the Kings picked. No chance that he gets past the Kings....they need scoring but this could be Kopitar 2.0- dropping due to concerns about skating. Then I remembered, Lombardi isn't there anymore....at least I thought that's who was in charge when Kopitar was picked.
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No, Dave Taylor was GM when Kopi was picked. Al Murray was director of scouting.
 
Clearly did not deserve to drop in a weak draft such as this one as much as he did, but he was overrated based off of the playoff run he had. He was a complete non factor in most games until the mem cup.

I think his skating is definitely something he will fix, but he's clear as day a winger at the next level. The many comparisons to Draisaitl were laughable and watching the Canuck board melt down while he dropped was absolutely hilariouss
 
Robongo01 said:
Clearly did not deserve to drop in a weak draft such as this one as much as he did, but he was overrated based off of the playoff run he had. He was a complete non factor in most games until the mem cup.

I think his skating is definitely something he will fix, but he's clear as day a winger at the next level. The many comparisons to Draisaitl were laughable and watching the Canuck board melt down while he dropped was absolutely hilariouss
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Even if that is the case, he's a big body with a lot of talent and his floor looks to be a second-line winger. Time will tell, but the Kings have a great development system, too. Hopefully they work with him like they did with Toffoli.
 
Absolute steal. Not looking forward to having him in our division. As I've said before, he's a perfect fit in the Western Conference. Plays that heavy puck-possession type game. Gonna fit like a glove in LA. Congrats on getting a potential #1C at #11.
 
I'm stoked on this pick after reading some of these comments. We really are going to need a potential #1 C after Kopi declines/retires, and this Vilardi could be that. I'm glad we finally kept our first round pick, it might pay off big time.
 
At 11, you couldn't hope for a better player. There are going to be some teams regretting not picking him earlier, IMO.
 
I think if anything Vilardi is in the perfect scenario to develop with LA.

They play the slow, heavy, systematic game that suits him the best. Not to mention having probably the most ideal mentor for him in Kopitar to learn from.
 
Great pick. I can't believe he fell that far and the Kings were able to snag him. A lot of teams will likely be kicking themselves on this one.
 
With regards to Gabriel Vilardi's current deficiencies, he will be working with renowned power skating coach Barry Karn.

Karn, considered one of the best power skating coaches in North America, has worked with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, and Minnesota Wild organizations among other clients.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/06/23/vilardi-falls-down-draft-board-but-thrilled-to-join-kings/
Vilardi falls down draft board, but thrilled to join Kings
By Jason Brough
Jun 23, 2017, 9:47 PM EDT

CHICAGO  If Gabriel Vilardi was disappointed after falling down the draft board, he sure hid it well.

...

If there’s a knock on Vilardi, it’s his skating. To really thrive in the NHL, it’ll need to get better. That’s why he’s off to Minnesota this summer to work with power-skating coach Barry Karn.

“I know what I need to work on,†he said. “I got a plan in place.â€Â

Vilardi just won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires. Now he’ll be joining a team that’s won two Stanley Cups in the last six years with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, and Drew Doughty.

“I watch Kopitar a lot,†Vilardi said. “I really like the way he plays. I think some of his attributes are similar to mine. He’s so smart with the puck. He’s tough to knock off the puck. I can’t wait to go there, meet him and take whatever I can from him and apply it to my own game.â€Â
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http://www.karnskatingdynamics.com/about/testimonials/
Testimonials

Mark Stuart – Boston Bruins

“Thanks Karn Skating Dynamics, the skills I learned are a must to play in the NHL.â€Â

Mark Parrish – Dallas Stars

“Being disciplined in strength and conditioning in the NHL is a must. Having your skating efficiency maximized is priceless! Thanks Karn Skating Dynamics.â€Â

Tim Jackman – New York Islanders

“A huge speed and efficiency change for me, skating has now become a strength.â€Â

Brian Lawton – GM Tampa Bay Lightning

“Having played pro hockey myself, I understand the great need for speed, agility,and efficiency. The feedback from our NHL clients around the world is that Barry is the best. Time and time again he’s improved our players abilities like no one else can. His unique training principals are such that even my kids benefit, and most of all they enjoy working with him!â€Â

Bret Hedican – Carolina Hurricanes

“Skating has always been my strength. Although over the past 7 summers, Karn Skating Dynamics has challenged me to become even faster and more efficient. This training is a must for every player.â€Â

Kevin Ziegler – Strength and Conditioning Coach Tampa Bay Lightning

“I had the pleasure of meeting Barry and Jodi almost 20 years ago, and I knew right from the start they where the best in the business of skating. Barry has made me a better hockey strength and conditioning coach. We have worked together at all levels and train some of the best hockey players in the world. Barry is simply the best – I recommend Barry to every NHL player I train.â€Â

Ben Clymer – Washington Capitals

“Eight years ago when I was a sophomore at the University of Minnesota I began training with Karn Skating Dynamics. The increased balance, acceleration and higher top end speeds I achieved were definitely an advantage for making the jump to the speed of the NHL.â€Â
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http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/power-skating-made-to-look-easy
Power-skating made (to look) easy
Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald
Published on: July 23, 2009 | Last Updated: July 23, 2009 2:20 AM MDT

One of the best parts about watching the Flames’ annual prospects camp?

Getting to see one of the smoothest skaters on the planet on display every morning.

Too bad he’ll never ever play for the Flames.

Because in addition to being a little long in the tooth, Barry Karn, power-skating teacher extraordinaire, is making a pretty good living as it is.

And what a stride the man possesses. Ridiculous.

The Minneapolis-based instructor just guided the Tampa Bay Lightning through its rookie camp  www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsetF-4KvoA  and now he’s here.

Karn has helped out the Flames for years.

“He definitely teaches a different technique than what it’s been the last 30, 40 years,†said Ryley Grantham. “He’s one of the best in the world and he’s doing a great job.â€Â

Despite making it look so, so easy.

Karn gracefully demonstrates each of his drills  just a slow glide through the pylons; head perfectly still, always in control, turning tightly.

Nothing to it, right? At least, that’s how it appears.

Then watch as the prospects, a fine collection of skaters in their own right, stagger and wobble around the ice.

“It takes you a few times to get the technique down,†said Grantham. “It’s definitely a little tough.â€Â

...
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http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Calgary/2007/07/20/4354899-sun.html
Flames' rookies stay sharp
STEVE MACFARLANE -- Sun Media
Jul 20, 2007, Last Updated: 10:52 AM ET

...

Weaving in slow motion around pylons are the Calgary Flames prospects under the watchful eye of powerskating coach Barry Karn, the wise tutor who occasionally sounds like Chinese philosopher Confucius or The Karate Kid's Mr. Miyagi.

"You learn how to be fast by being really slow," Karn said yesterday of his technical teachings. "It sounds kind of funny, but I've been doing this for 25 years."

With the right posture, a player can significantly increase his speed without relying on strength. The science behind it may be complicated but Karn, a Minnesotan in his second year with the Flames, tries to keep it simple, using a vertical leap as an example.

"It's a programming thing. I get down into a squat position ... if I go down and I stop there for a couple of seconds every single time, you tune everything up," he said. "Say you're (normally) jumping with 60 muscles. If you orchestrate and let yourself hold that position for a long time, you actually get more muscle involved, so now you're jumping with, say, 90.

"Your vertical goes up without gaining any power.

"There's a little wobble at first," he continued, adding the centre of balance is right over the blade of the skates. "After a while, the muscles that need to stretch and flex in a more stretched out position, they start to program."

...

"I think the hardest thing for a big guy is to get low and stay low," Pelech said. "Our legs are so long. When you get down there you stay there for 30 seconds, you can feel the burn."

As uncomfortable as it can be, the results are obvious when the recorded times come back after enough practice.

"In the last two years, I've come a long way," said Pardy, who worked with Karn in Omaha last season. "I think the other guys would say that, too."

They do.

"He's absolutely amazing. I've worked with him a few times away from Calgary," Baldwin said. "He's taught me so much. I've noticed a difference in my skating. I haven't been the greatest skater my whole life, I guess, and he's making that a lot better."

Like many of his fellow campers, Aulie skates with other coaches in the off-season.

"They're not near on the level of Barry," said Aulie. "This is way over the top of their heads."

...

He's worked with the Islanders, Blackhawks, Coyotes and Blues in addition to individuals seeking his help.

"That natural skater is actually an unnatural guy," Karn said.

...
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