just a general opinion from watching the mem cup, as a top 5 prospect he's looking pretty decent, not much more, something lacks in his game but that might be why so many have called this year's draft lackluster
C Gabriel Vilardi (2017, 11th, LAK)
- Thread starter Brew
- Start date
just a general opinion from watching the mem cup, as a top 5 prospect he's looking pretty decent, not much more, something lacks in his game but that might be why so many have called this year's draft lackluster
Ambisextrous
Registered User
Would 6 or 7 have impressed you? Not sure what more you could possibly want from a 3rd or 4th pick on the biggest stage of Major Junior. He has been having an unreal tournament and is a major part of why Addison is scoring the way he is.
He's a guy who would usually be in the 5-10 range for most draft classes, this year he's a top 3 guy.
I like Vilardi's game and think he has a serious chance at being the best player from this draft class. He has a lot in common with a player like Auston Matthews or John Tavares (great along the boards, good/great hands and a good shot). He isn't on the same tier as those guys but he has very high-end potential, especially if he can improve his skating like Tavares did. If he can improve his skating and stay healthy next year he should be the best player in the OHL (depending if Svechnikov comes).
JoemAvs
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2011
- 13,614
- 4,116
Given that there is a very good chance that this guy will be Avs property a month from now, does anyone have any insight on what part of skating can be easily improved and what can't.
Draisaitl for example did it. Tavares did it. ROR did it.
Other players couldn't overcome it. Why not?
How likely is Gabe to significantly improve his skating. Are there some glaring flaws that will be hard to overcome from a technical standpoint?
I wasn't that high on Vilardi when we were bottom of the barrel mainly because of his skating but thanks to the lottery and unfortunately Liljegren probably dropping too far for the Avs to take him and Heiskanen in all likelihood going #3, I might be able to really talk myself into him if some people more knowledgable on the art of skating can reassure me that his obvious issues are fixable.
There is quite a bit of ugliness in his stride, I'm not sure how fixable it is. I'm sure if he works insanely hard at it though similar to Tavares he will be at least a passable skater at the NHL level.
Worth noting, Vilardi is taller than Drai, ROR, and Tavares, and it is harder for big guys to clean up their skating. Especially in regards to explosiveness.
My worry with his skating would be he may have trouble being a high-end center if he can't get faster, as a guy who battles down low a lot he may not have the greatest recovery speed.
I actually am starting to think Vilardi may have the best chance of becoming an elite forward from this draft class, but Patrick and Nico are safer options. If I was an Avs fan, he is absolutely the guy I'd want to take at 4. Unlike someone like Dylan Strome who's skating is holding him back, Vilardi has a very solid frame compared to Strome being lanky. This combined with his hands somewhat cover up his weaker skating as he is very tough to take the puck off of, so the need to create separation isn't relied upon as much.
Last edited:
WhatWhat
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2014
- 5,685
- 1,119
What...? He assisted on all 4 goals in a 4-2 against arguably the best team in the CHL...
He supposed to get 5 assists on the 4 goals?
- Mar 10, 2010
- 36,088
- 36,261
I had not seen much of Vilardi this season but last night watching him battle so effectively on the boards and transition the puck battle wins into quick strike opportunities through his vison, skill, and IQ/hockey sense reminded me of watching Tkachuk last year in the memorial cup. It's not that often guys have the power/board battle skills with the slick hands and fast mind. Really valuable blend of talents?
He has 10 times the motor Dylan Strome has. Overall, Strome might be a better skater, but Vilardi is hustling and he is always chasing pucks. Vilardi is just a better prospect IMO, Strome will look better in junior, but in the NHL Vilardi is that all-around stud you can play with anyone and in any role.
Think about how Mark Stone handles the puck and wins puck battles then add some more creativity, hands to that.
Think about how Mark Stone handles the puck and wins puck battles then add some more creativity, hands to that.
Sidney the Kidney
One last time
- Jun 29, 2009
- 56,940
- 49,668
I like the Stone and Tkachuk comparisons, in terms of guys who can still be great NHL scorers despite limited skating, because of their high IQ and puck protection game.
Canucks LB
My Favourite, Gone too soon, RIP Luc, We miss you
- Oct 12, 2008
- 80,195
- 36,218
That is because they know Vilardi's chances of dropping to 5 are very slim and why talk about something you likely can't have regardless
SelltheTeamFrancesco
Registered User
- Aug 11, 2015
- 5,039
- 5,616
Easily Vilardi for me love the way he plays. I also have Mittelsadt ahead of Glass as well.
I think he projects more as a high end playmaker. He's not as good of a skater as Backstrom but he likely has more of a puck protection trench warfare kind of style mixed with some Backstrom like senses. Really heavy in the corners and can use his frame to keep the puck away and win board battles and has the vision and smarts to know when and where guys will be on the ice. He'll do really well with some high end finishers as he can create the time and space for them to find an opening and has the vision and passing ability to put it on the tape.
tigervixxxen
Optimism=Delusional
I do too. TBH I'd take him over Hischier, I think Vilardi is just a shade under Patrick. I like Glass a lot too but I'd be thrilled to walk away with Vilardi. He's somewhat polarizing in a way. Like most get he's good but there's people that just love his game and others just see safe, boring.
TruGr1t
Proper Villain
- Jun 26, 2003
- 25,669
- 11,325
Actually, if this guy falls to #5, then he'll likely be going to Vegas. Reports indicate Canucks' management has pretty much no interest in Vilardi due to the fact they're putting a premium on speed/skating. Vancouver likely has Glass, Mittelstadt, and one of the top defenders ranked ahead of Vilardi.
Elias Pettersson
I'm not a troll
- Jan 22, 2014
- 3,843
- 1,827
Elias Pettersson
I'm not a troll
- Jan 22, 2014
- 3,843
- 1,827
really? Strong player, good on the boards, not flashy offensively, skating needs work? Sounds like Horvat to me
edit: Horvat at the time of the draft.
Well Horvat at the draft is not the player we have today so if you're talking draft then how does that make Vilardi redundant?
Horvat is primarily a rush player now and doesn't play a slow/heavy possession game that Vilardi does. And while Bo has good vision/passing ability I think Vilardi is a step above, esp in traffic and around the net.
So really not the same/redundant at all. And even if they were identical why would that be a problem? Can a team not use two offensive centres?
McDNicks17
Moderator
nowhereman
Registered User
If there's any player on the Vancouver Canucks who management wishes they could clone it would be Bo Horvat. Vancouver would be doing cartwheels, if they could nab a Horvat-level player in this draft.
