C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)

[Zaddy]

It's kind of interesting to see how strong the top-end of the 2017 draft looks to be. I love Vilardi and had him top3 and even top2 at various points of last season, but when you look at it now he has some pretty darn good competition in the top8 of the draft. No one is really underperforming in the top8, except maybe Patrick and most of them are exceeding expectations. Guys like Heiskanen, Pettersson and Mittelstadt have been amazing and everyone else is doing pretty well too. Even Rasmussen and Tippett looks to be doing quite well, and behind Vilardi you have Necas and Suzuki with strong seasons. The 2017 draft looks a lot stronger than most people (including me) thought it'd be. Actually wouldn't surprise me at this point if the 2017 draft turned out to be better than 2018; something that seemed unthinkable just 1-2 years ago.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

It's kind of interesting to see how strong the top-end of the 2017 draft looks to be. I love Vilardi and had him top3 and even top2 at various points of last season, but when you look at it now he has some pretty darn good competition in the top8 of the draft. No one is really underperforming in the top8, except maybe Patrick and most of them are exceeding expectations. Guys like Heiskanen, Pettersson and Mittelstadt have been amazing and everyone else is doing pretty well too. Even Rasmussen and Tippett looks to be doing quite well, and behind Vilardi you have Necas and Suzuki with strong seasons. The 2017 draft looks a lot stronger than most people (including me) thought it'd be. Actually wouldn't surprise me at this point if the 2017 draft turned out to be better than 2018; something that seemed unthinkable just 1-2 years ago.

It's funny when Nolan Patrick, who was a contender for #1, looks to be the worst pick so far

 

[Zaddy]

It's funny when Nolan Patrick, who was a contender for #1, looks to be the worst pick so far

Yup. But to be fair to him he battled through some injury through the end of last season and this summer IIRC so it's maybe not the most ideal way to start off an NHL career. I'd be more interested to see how he does next year where he's hopefully healthy and can have a full offseason to prepare.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

It's funny when Nolan Patrick, who was a contender for #1, looks to be the worst pick so far

Not a coincidence he is playing in the NHL while you make that statement. If you think the other guys are excelling at that level this season I don't agree with you.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

Not a coincidence he is playing in the NHL while you make that statement. If you think the other guys are excelling at that level this season I don't agree with you.

Jake Virtanen played in the nhl at 19 before Ehlers and Nylander.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Jake Virtanen played in the nhl at 19 before Ehlers and Nylander.

Great and the when we started truly caring about the progress of all three guys were when they were all pro players at similar points to diagnose them. For the record most people hated the Virtanen pick at the time, it isn't really apples to apples with Patrick.

Do you really think most of the guys you listed would be thriving in the NHL? I don't see it and I was a big Pettersson and Mittlestadt fan. Face it they should be the best player on the ice surface they are playing on most nights and that simply isn't the case with Patrick. Heck we are posting in a thread about a guy I am not sure about at the NHL level because of how poor a skater he is. I think Vilardi's future lies on the wing as hopefully a top line guy, but I don't see a center.

Like all prospects where you're playing is important to your evaluation. Nolan Patrick already plays at the level we hope to evaluate them at. He is getting important reps, and plays a responsible game already at the NHL level. I think he will be fine, He cannot pull some of the stuff the guys in his draft year can to get points. He also plays on a team that high leverages starts for a different line to help drive offensive numbers. That is something to pay attention to for the Mittlestadt crowd as much as I like him we need a goal Eichel is thrown over the boards first just like Giroux and Voracek are going to get run in high leverage offensive situations every time.

 

[Frk It]

It's funny when Nolan Patrick, who was a contender for #1, looks to be the worst pick so far

Only if you ignore context and jump to conclusions.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Great and the when we started truly caring about the progress of all three guys were when they were all pro players at similar points to diagnose them. For the record most people hated the Virtanen pick at the time, it isn't really apples to apples with Patrick.

Do you really think most of the guys you listed would be thriving in the NHL? I don't see it and I was a big Pettersson and Mittlestadt fan. Face it they should be the best player on the ice surface they are playing on most nights and that simply isn't the case with Patrick. Heck we are posting in a thread about a guy I am not sure about at the NHL level because of how poor a skater he is. I think Vilardi's future lies on the wing as hopefully a top line guy, but I don't see a center.

Like all prospects where you're playing is important to your evaluation. Nolan Patrick already plays at the level we hope to evaluate them at. He is getting important reps, and plays a responsible game already at the NHL level. I think he will be fine, He cannot pull some of the stuff the guys in his draft year can to get points. He also plays on a team that high leverages starts for a different line to help drive offensive numbers. That is something to pay attention to for the Mittlestadt crowd as much as I like him we need a goal Eichel is thrown over the boards first just like Giroux and Voracek are going to get run in high leverage offensive situations every time.

Not sure what else Vilardi can show at this point; what would you like to see from him? He's 2 PPG after a 6 month injury layoff and switching teams and while I haven't watched every game I don't think it's much of a stretch to say he's the best player on the ice. What does he have to do to get people to take him seriously? (only player with a higher PPG right now is Jordan Kyrou at 2.03 and yes it's a small sample size but no one else is incredibly close).

 

[SAK11]

It's funny when Nolan Patrick, who was a contender for #1, looks to be the worst pick so far

You're punishing him for making the NHL early. By that logic Seguin would've been looked at as one of the worst high picks in his draft early on, too.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Not sure what else Vilardi can show at this point; what would you like to see from him? He's 2 PPG after a 6 month injury layoff and switching teams and while I haven't watched every game I don't think it's much of a stretch to say he's the best player on the ice. What does he have to do to get people to take him seriously? (only player with a higher PPG right now is Jordan Kyrou at 2.03 and yes it's a small sample size but no one else is incredibly close).

Get better at skating. I don't have a problem with his skill, but the idea he is going to play center is something I just don't really see.

I think he could be a top line winger, but if people were selling me Corey Perry as a center in junior I would be dubious as well.

 

[StreetHawk]

Jake Virtanen played in the nhl at 19 before Ehlers and Nylander.

No, Virtanen played in his draft +1 season, same as Ehlers and Nylander. All 3 are in the final year of their ELC.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Get better at skating. I don't have a problem with his skill, but the idea he is going to play center is something I just don't really see.

I think he could be a top line winger, but if people were selling me Corey Perry as a center in junior I would be dubious as well.

I've had that thought for a bit and it starts with the idea that his coaches think he will be in the NHL next year. LA already has three great-skating centers so I figured they'd always at least ease him in as a winger to play to his strengths on the boards and down low. I wouldn't say never, but yeah, I can't think of many systems around the league where the centers can play as high as Vilardi seems to in junior, but particularly in LA, where Kopitar, Carter, and Kempe start a lot of possessions behind their own net, heh.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

His skating concerns are very overblown. His skating is just fine. That said with his skills, he won't be in the bottom 6 and with Kopitar and Carter entrenched up the middle, he will be on the right side with one of those guys lighting it up. Guy is a stud.

Skating concerns definitely aren't a problem. It is the same thing they said about Toffoli when he was drafted and the Kings fixed that. Plus, I'd rather have a guy that can do everything well and not skate good; than someone than can skate well and not do anything good.

And the Kings can use Vilardi anyway they see fit (Winger or Center). Carter can play winger or Center too.

Brown--Kopitar--Carter
Pearson--Vilardi--Toffoli
Iafallo--Kempe--Gaborik
Lewis--Amaido--Brodzinski

Depth and easy line swapping if needed

 

[Grub]

The skating argument doesn't really apply IMO. He has plenty of time to improve in that department. Bo Horvat was as slow as an OX and there was many concerns with his speed... took a summer with a power skating coach, now it seems he is one of the fastest with the Canucks.

Brock Boeser, same story, people thought he was very slow... has taken strides this year.

To be honest I think skating is one of the easiest things to fix.

 

[Pavels Dog]

The skating argument doesn't really apply IMO. He has plenty of time to improve in that department. Bo Horvat was as slow as an OX and there was many concerns with his speed... took a summer with a power skating coach, now it seems he is one of the fastest with the Canucks.

Brock Boeser, same story, people thought he was very slow... has taken strides this year.

To be honest I think skating is one of the easiest things to fix.

For every success story of skating getting improved there will be a dozen guys who couldn’t make enough gains in that department for it to be a non-issue. Consider that guys that are already good skaters at the draft can also make gains and get even faster. Even if a slower guy can ”fix” his skating, he might still only end up an average or slightly below average skater which lowers his effectiveness. I really don’t know where Vilardi will end up but I’m getting a little tired of hearing that bad skaters can just spend an offseason working on it and suddenly be good skaters.

 

[Grub]

For every success story of skating getting improved there will be a dozen guys who couldn’t make enough gains in that department for it to be a non-issue. Consider that guys that are already good skaters at the draft can also make gains and get even faster. Even if a slower guy can ”fix” his skating, he might still only end up an average or slightly below average skater which lowers his effectiveness. I really don’t know where Vilardi will end up but I’m getting a little tired of hearing that bad skaters can just spend an offseason working on it and suddenly be good skaters.

Well let me tell you again. It happened to two players from the Canucks, so the argument is valid.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The skating argument doesn't really apply IMO. He has plenty of time to improve in that department. Bo Horvat was as slow as an OX and there was many concerns with his speed... took a summer with a power skating coach, now it seems he is one of the fastest with the Canucks.

Brock Boeser, same story, people thought he was very slow... has taken strides this year.

To be honest I think skating is one of the easiest things to fix.

Of all possible concerns I agree.

As cited above, Kings have an example in Toffoli. If you're great to elite at everything else, you can be covered as long as you have average skating.

Being as his NHL calling card won't be "exploding through open ice" and his biggest strengths are board play, down low play, and quick decision making, putting him with excellent skaters--say, Carter and Pearson--would mitigate that provided he has the IQ.

I guess on the flipside the Kings have another example--Mersch--who just can't break through because his skating just can't even get him up and down the rink enough. But like Toffoli, Vilardi has a massive hockey brain. I just can't see him busting on skating.

 

[Redder Winger]

Heck we are posting in a thread about a guy I am not sure about at the NHL level because of how poor a skater he is. I think Vilardi's future lies on the wing as hopefully a top line guy, but I don't see a center.
e.

People keep saying this.
It's untrue.

I saw Vilardi outskate Debrincat - a supersmall kid who is only in the NHL because of his skating - shift after shift last year.

The concerns over Vilardi's skating are overblown.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

How'd everyone let this guy fall to 11th? Some drafts had him going as high as #3-5

 

[Redder Winger]

How'd everyone let this guy fall to 11th? Some drafts had him going as high as #3-5

I think teams have a pretty good idea of who they're picking and are hesitant to switch.

I can't understand Detroit drafting Rasmussen over Vilardi. But somewhere, sometime on draft day or before, Detroit decided on Rasmussen. They probably debated it. They probably had to come to some consensus. Someone had to make a case for him and Holland and Co had to buy in.
Then once you buy in, you start imagining it and telling yourself why it's the right move.

Then on draft day, Vilardi falls and you're already sold on someone else. You've already envisioned your guy.

 

[Claypool]

I can't understand Detroit drafting Rasmussen over Vilardi.

Rasmussen is a very good player.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

People keep saying this.
It's untrue.

I saw Vilardi outskate Debrincat - a supersmall kid who is only in the NHL because of his skating - shift after shift last year.

The concerns over Vilardi's skating are overblown.

I’m pretty sure no one has ever raved about debrincats skating

 

[Smeagoal]

Rasmussen is a very good player.

He is no doubt. But ... Vilardi should've gone top 5. He was who I hoped the Cancuks would've picked second to CM. I didn't even have Pettersson in my top-5 ... D'oh.

 

[Blade Paradigm]

Vilardi has 28 points in 14 games right now this season.

He is tied with Jordan Kyrou for second place in the entire CHL in points-per-game.

 

[Redder Winger]

I’m pretty sure no one has ever raved about debrincats skating

McKeen's:
"DeBrincat has phenomenal speed when he is moving up the ice, especially when he is crashing the net. Defenders have a hard time containing him. He is consistently the fastest skater on the ice. His skating has not dropped since last year and he has maintained a good pace with his improved shot. Grade: 70"