C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)

[tigervixxxen]

Glad to see him doing well and over that scary injury. I've always been a fan of his.

 

[LAKings88]

Trying not to be too excited about GV.

LA could really use a good young star in the making.

No pressure Gabe.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

GWG and ENG tonight puts him at 7 goals and 16 points in 8 playoff games (2PPG) for the playoff lead. Every time I look up he's scoring a clutch goal (including the 3OT series winner); has his on-ice play matched the statline for the most part? I've only caught 2 full games and parts of a few more.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kingston now up 6-1, good lord.

But that would be another GWG for Vilardi if it holds, giving him 4 including a 3OT series winner. No one else has more than 2.

 

[Kingsfan1]

At this rate Vilardi might end up being the 2nd best player from his draft class. Kids unbelievable also the youngest . Helllll yeahhhhhh baby

 

[Matias Maccete]

I wanted him at 7 so bad. Stupid trade.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

6 goals, 7 points in his last 3 games.

 

[IPreferPi]

I wanted him at 7 so bad. Stupid trade.

It would have been so nice to have Vilardi or Mittlestadt or Necas waiting in the wings, but we got a 55-60 point veteran 2C and a goaltender who arguably was the best goaltender in the league since Jan. 1st. And both are locked up for a few more seasons.

Was I against the trade? Yes. But was it stupid, especially now in hindsight? Not really.

 

[Matias Maccete]

It would have been so nice to have Vilardi or Mittlestadt or Necas waiting in the wings, but we got a 55-60 point veteran 2C and a goaltender who arguably was the best goaltender in the league since Jan. 1st. And both are locked up for a few more seasons.

Was I against the trade? Yes. But was it stupid, especially now in hindsight? Not really.

Fair. But...... Vilardi.

 

[Castle8130]

Fair. But...... Vilardi.

True, but he might be a bust if he develops around no vets and a bunch of other prospects in an organization thats not very good at developing prospects.

 

[TopT]

where do you think Vilardi would go in this years draft; I am looking at Zadina and he is just 3 months younger

 

[tfong]

where do you think Vilardi would go in this years draft; I am looking at Zadina and he is just 3 months younger

I would say maybe slightly higher but still below Zadina. Maybe in the 5-6 area with Wahlstrom and Kravstov?

1) He was hurt so he played 32 games only.
2) His age worked for him imo in his draft. When you put up good numbers and are seen as even younger, that can have additional benefits to your draft stock.
3) He wouldn't have gone to WJC and Zadina really secured his draft stock there imo.
4) Zadina gets a big plus for adjusting to NA style hockey so quickly as well.

 

[Dominance]

where do you think Vilardi would go in this years draft; I am looking at Zadina and he is just 3 months younger

I honestly have no doubt he would go #2. Excellent all-around game + only great centre available + mature attitude + size + almost 2.0 PPG draft year + proven goal scoring and the ability to drive a line + dominant playoffs? The hype for him would be absurd if he was born a few days later.

 

[Dominance]

I would say maybe slightly higher but still below Zadina. Maybe in the 5-6 area with Wahlstrom and Kravstov?

1) He was hurt so he played 32 games only.
2) His age worked for him imo in his draft. When you put up good numbers and are seen as even younger, that can have additional benefits to your draft stock.
3) He wouldn't have gone to WJC and Zadina really secured his draft stock there imo.
4) Zadina gets a big plus for adjusting to NA style hockey so quickly as well.

Tkachuk is rated as high as #2 and is essentially the exact same age as Vilardi.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Yes the age thing is just ridiculous. He was constantly rated between 3 and 5 before the draft, based on skill.

The fact he would have missed the WJC is no argument either. Top 3, no doubt.

Only thing Zadina does better, is skating.

 

[tfong]

Tkachuk is rated as high as #2 and is essentially the exact same age as Vilardi.

I 'm assuming you are agreeing with me, as otherwise I'm not sure how to respond.

Yes the age thing is just ridiculous. He was constantly rated between 3 and 5 before the draft, based on skill.

The fact he would have missed the WJC is no argument either. Top 3, no doubt.

Only thing Zadina does better, is skating.

I feel Zadinas shooting is also better than Vilardi's.

Really wanted the Wings to grab him.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I 'm assuming you are agreeing with me, as otherwise I'm not sure how to respond.



I feel Zadinas shooting is also better than Vilardi's.

Really wanted the Wings to grab him.

Thats because Zadina is a shooter.

With Vilardi people think of that big centerman who provide passes, which he does, but his goals/assist ratio is pretty close. Currently more goals than playoff games/assists as well. You can't put a genius in a box. ;-)

 

[tfong]

Thats because Zadina is a shooter.

With Vilardi people think of that big centerman who provide passes, which he does, but his goals/assist ratio is pretty close. Currently more goals than playoff games/assists as well. You can't put a genius in a box. ;-)

Well I mean that supports my statement of what Zadina does better than Vilardi lol. Doesn't matter if he a shooter or playmaker. I was just saying he has better shooting ability.

 

[Dominance]

I 'm assuming you are agreeing with me, as otherwise I'm not sure how to respond.



I feel Zadinas shooting is also better than Vilardi's.

Really wanted the Wings to grab him.

I meant that if Vilardi had been born a few days earlier (say, on the same day as Tkachuk was) he would be easily rated above Zadina considering that Tkachuk frequently is and that Vilardi’s statistics are more impressive than Brady’s - not to mention that he’s a centre.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Tkachuk is rated as high as #2 and is essentially the exact same age as Vilardi.

#2? When and where? Highest you see him ranked is typically 4th. And I would not be at all surprised to see him be a big faller in this year's draft and go around 10th/11th like Vilardi did.

 

[tfong]

I meant that if Vilardi had been born a few days earlier (say, on the same day as Tkachuk was) he would be easily rated above Zadina considering that Tkachuk frequently is and that Vilardi’s statistics are more impressive than Brady’s - not to mention that he’s a centre.

Why do you think that he easily ranks ahead of him?

All other things equal, I think Zadina is both superior in skating and shooting and Vilardi missed quite some time this season and that usually will have an impact in their draft positions.

Vilardi is a center so i'd give you that advantage. I mean mock drafts can have Brady up high but hes been dropping for the better part of the season now. Hes a top 10 pick still but i don't even think hes in the top 5 conversation anymore.

 

[Blade Paradigm]

#2? When and where? Highest you see him ranked is typically 4th. And I would not be at all surprised to see him be a big faller in this year's draft and go around 10th/11th like Vilardi did.

Craig Button, as of his March list. Tkachuk was his #3 on his January list, behind Dahlin and Boqvist; on his most recent list, he bumped Boqvist down to #6, pushing Tkachuk up to #2.

https://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-bouchard-rocketing-up-draft-board-1.1031499

Mar 19, 2018
Craig's List: Bouchard rocketing up draft board
By Craig Button

...

Three familiar wingers occupy the spots between Dahlin and Bouchard. Boston University left winger Brady Tkachuk, who has eight goals and 21 assists in 38 games in his freshman season, is our No. 2 prospect. Barrie Colts right wing Andrei Svechnikov, who had 40 goals and 32 assists in an injury-shortened regular season (44 games) is third. Sitting in fourth is Filip Zadina of the Halifax Mooseheads, a right wing who had 82 points (44 goals, 38 assists) in 57 games this season.

All three of these wingers bring a blend of size and skill and project to be productive pros. They could be drafted in any order behind Dahlin.
The rest of the top 10 includes dynamic Brynas IF defenceman Adam Boqvist (No. 6), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds two-way centre Barrett Hayton (No. 7), Acadie-Bathurst Titan right-shot defenceman Noah Dobson (No. 8) and USA Hockey National Team Development Program centre Oliver Wahlstrom at No. 9.

Sitting at No. 10 is 6-foot-1, 188-pound Finish centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who jumps all the way up from No. 26 in our January rankings. The 17-year-old Kotkaniemi, who is playing against men in Liiga for Assat, reminds me of Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar at the same age.

...

 

[Dominance]

#2? When and where? Highest you see him ranked is typically 4th. And I would not be at all surprised to see him be a big faller in this year's draft and go around 10th/11th like Vilardi did.

In addition to the helpful comment before mine, he’s been #2 or #3 in numerous mocks done by HF posters, and is suggested as being right there behind only Dahlin by several sites including NHL Draft 2018: Brady Tkachuk 'right there' as possible top pick,

 

[Bluesnatic27]

This guy was my second favorite prospect in 2017, right behind Pettersson. I remember wanting the Blues to package both firsts to move up and snag him on draft day. At the time, I couldn't believe it was pick 9 and he was still on the board.

The Kings found a gem and I can't wait to see what a tandem of Kopitar and Vilardi can do.