Confirmed with Link: Gabriel Vilardi signs 3-year ELC
- Thread starter Raccoon Jesus
- Start date
Chazz Reinhold
Registered User
Seems like I’m the only one worried about the hit he took diving for the puck in the corner near the end. Didn’t look good to me but maybe I’m overreacting.
kingsboy11
Maestro
For a guy that hasn't played in almost 12 months he didn't look out of place at all.
DryIslandBartender
KCCO
- Jun 30, 2006
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- May 9, 2014
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No. He made Faust seem like prime Bob Miller.
regulate
Registered User
I thought it was great hustle to try and have the team keep possession. Can't bubble wrap the kid. Doubt you would have seen him attempt that if he was having any physical issues.
bouncesonly
Registered User
Last week's game against the Gulls, they had 2, 5 on 3's....couldn't even get close.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Plus he was fine in the postgame, no one mentioned it at all
Steve Zissou
I'll order you a red cap and a Speedo.
Gabe Vilardi on getting back into the lineup tonight, nearly a year after last playing
Yeah, it was fun. It felt good honestly, it’s good to get the first one over with and I’ve got to keep moving forward.
On his two big chances, including a breakaway in the third period, and what he saw on that breakaway look
I was just talking about it, that’s where I’ve got to get my head back in the game. That’s not me, I don’t go five-hole, I don’t make that play. It’s just that’s where it’s going to take some time for me to really think the game like I normally do instead of, I don’t want to use the word “panicking” but feeling rushed almost. I knew I had a lot of time and I came in I tried to go five hole and that’s just not me, I don’t go five hole, I make a play. That’s where it’s going to take some time. A lot of other times out there, like on that 6-on-4, just feeling rushed again, coming in down the wall and dumping it in, it’s just little things. I dump it and I don’t put it in hard enough and the goalie stops it, so they get an easier breakout. It’s just little things like that. Obviously I want to watch the video, see what I can improve on, but it’s tough. It was my first game in over a year and I mean I’m trying to be realistic, that’s very hard. I’m going to have to, like I said watch video and really see. I feel like I had more time with the puck than I thought I did out there, but I feel like that’s normal, to feel panicky out there a little bit.
On his comfort level tonight, as compared to his four games last season
I mean, I’ve just got a different mindset. I understand what I need to do with my body. Looking back at last year, I was just, I don’t want to say I had pressure, but I feel like I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to perform, where as this year, I’ve got no pressure, I’ve got the support of everybody. Everybody’s been so supportive. I’m here, I’m doing the right things I think. I’m spending long days at the rink, I’m putting in the work, so hopefully it will pay off and like I said, I’ve got to keep on improving. This is just step one for me.
On how his legs felt as the game went along and if he felt he had more jump in the first than the third
Not even that, it’s just longer shifts. If you start in the d-zone and you get caught in the d-zone for the first 20 seconds, obviously I’m an offensive guy and I want to get some sort of offense on every shift if I can. I’m trying to really temple myself…if I’m in the defensive zone for 30 seconds, that’s my shift, I can’t try to go get offense, because if we get caught on the rush back, we’ll be dogging it for the rest of the shift and we can’t have that. It happened a few times out there where, a lot of miscommunications in the d-zone on my part, it’s because of me and I’m putting pressure on Luffer and Sutts, just because I don’t always know where to be and I’m not thinking straight because I’ve been out there for a minute. I’ve got to really bear down on that, but like I said, that’s going to come with time.
Mike Stothers on what he saw from Gabriel Vilardi’s season debut
I think it was a real good, solid start for Gabe. I went into the game not really expecting miracles out of him, the guy has been through a lot and he’s been off for an awful long time, but you can see there’s some hockey sense and some awareness, in all zones actually. He was pretty responsible defensively, he created things, had a good stick, positionally he’s good, won some big draws for us. As far as a debut goes, I thought it was very solid.
On the process of Vilardi’s timing coming back, as he plays in more games
Well, I would expect so, yeah. Again, there’s a lot of timing involved. You can practice all you want, but it’s not the same as game situations and he was playing against a good team. It was really encouraging and it was solid.
Yeah, it was fun. It felt good honestly, it’s good to get the first one over with and I’ve got to keep moving forward.
On his two big chances, including a breakaway in the third period, and what he saw on that breakaway look
I was just talking about it, that’s where I’ve got to get my head back in the game. That’s not me, I don’t go five-hole, I don’t make that play. It’s just that’s where it’s going to take some time for me to really think the game like I normally do instead of, I don’t want to use the word “panicking” but feeling rushed almost. I knew I had a lot of time and I came in I tried to go five hole and that’s just not me, I don’t go five hole, I make a play. That’s where it’s going to take some time. A lot of other times out there, like on that 6-on-4, just feeling rushed again, coming in down the wall and dumping it in, it’s just little things. I dump it and I don’t put it in hard enough and the goalie stops it, so they get an easier breakout. It’s just little things like that. Obviously I want to watch the video, see what I can improve on, but it’s tough. It was my first game in over a year and I mean I’m trying to be realistic, that’s very hard. I’m going to have to, like I said watch video and really see. I feel like I had more time with the puck than I thought I did out there, but I feel like that’s normal, to feel panicky out there a little bit.
On his comfort level tonight, as compared to his four games last season
I mean, I’ve just got a different mindset. I understand what I need to do with my body. Looking back at last year, I was just, I don’t want to say I had pressure, but I feel like I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to perform, where as this year, I’ve got no pressure, I’ve got the support of everybody. Everybody’s been so supportive. I’m here, I’m doing the right things I think. I’m spending long days at the rink, I’m putting in the work, so hopefully it will pay off and like I said, I’ve got to keep on improving. This is just step one for me.
On how his legs felt as the game went along and if he felt he had more jump in the first than the third
Not even that, it’s just longer shifts. If you start in the d-zone and you get caught in the d-zone for the first 20 seconds, obviously I’m an offensive guy and I want to get some sort of offense on every shift if I can. I’m trying to really temple myself…if I’m in the defensive zone for 30 seconds, that’s my shift, I can’t try to go get offense, because if we get caught on the rush back, we’ll be dogging it for the rest of the shift and we can’t have that. It happened a few times out there where, a lot of miscommunications in the d-zone on my part, it’s because of me and I’m putting pressure on Luffer and Sutts, just because I don’t always know where to be and I’m not thinking straight because I’ve been out there for a minute. I’ve got to really bear down on that, but like I said, that’s going to come with time.
Mike Stothers on what he saw from Gabriel Vilardi’s season debut
I think it was a real good, solid start for Gabe. I went into the game not really expecting miracles out of him, the guy has been through a lot and he’s been off for an awful long time, but you can see there’s some hockey sense and some awareness, in all zones actually. He was pretty responsible defensively, he created things, had a good stick, positionally he’s good, won some big draws for us. As far as a debut goes, I thought it was very solid.
On the process of Vilardi’s timing coming back, as he plays in more games
Well, I would expect so, yeah. Again, there’s a lot of timing involved. You can practice all you want, but it’s not the same as game situations and he was playing against a good team. It was really encouraging and it was solid.
Frolov 6'3
Unregistered User
After missing so much time, Vilardi is one of those players who just doesnt look out of place due to ridiculous hockey IQ and skill.
Hopefully he can overcome his skating issues because that was never great.
Hopefully he can overcome his skating issues because that was never great.
- May 9, 2014
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I’ve said all along his IQ would limit the impact of his layoff. I didn’t think his skating looked too bad, or at least not as bad as I thought it would. As he gets into his rhythm he will get his legs going fully. It’s good that he says it’s short of where it needs to be, it’s important that he continues to have good self awareness.
On a side note, Kupari stood out for me. I know he lacked end product but he carried himself impressively and just looked the part. The tool box is full, it’s just his decision making and I think he will step up alongside better players, where he can read off them rather then trying to drive the play. I’d really like to see him end up on Vilardi’s wing whilst he’s with Ontario.
Kupari
Turcotte
Kaliyev
Thomas
Vilardi
Fagemo
Excited to see what these guys can do the next few years. Vilardi would be a huge get if fully recovered/managed correctly.
Turcotte
Kaliyev
Thomas
Vilardi
Fagemo
Excited to see what these guys can do the next few years. Vilardi would be a huge get if fully recovered/managed correctly.
The Tikkanen
Pest
No, you can't worry about a hockey player taking a hit or he shouldn't be on the ice. Vilardi is healthy, padded up and ready to go.
Steve Zissou
I'll order you a red cap and a Speedo.
- May 9, 2014
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Quite. If anything we want him to take a (clean) hit or two, to get him into game shape. If he plays with a bit of grit to match his size he’s going to be a beast. Given the adversity he’s already faced, why not!!?
Kingsfan1
Registered User
ibleedkings
Rob Fake
FrozenKing18
Where is my super suit?
Man its great to hear he did well on his first game. The guy has been through a lot! I hope he continues to find success this season! Excited to see him get a call up next season!
- May 9, 2014
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Yes, it’s great news. He’s worked hard and his getting back onto the ice to play the game he loves is a huge win for the kid. I’m sure it won’t feel like a win to him until he pulls on a Kings jersey, but it’s a win. Delighted for him.
regulate
Registered User
I'm sure they will work with him to at least try and improve those first couple of strides like they did with Amadio, but he's likely always going to be a very average skater at best. Just hope he can keep up defensively.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
The thing is, like Amadio, maybe even more so, he has the brain to be in the right spots quicker. He's not going to win a ton of footraces at the NHL level, but just like we saw the other night, if he arrives at the same time, he's walking out with the puck.
Corey Perry/Mark Stone feeling from him, just a total unit when he's got the puck and like Stone if he's within stick length +/- 5 feet you're in deep shit
A lot is made of his offense but a lot of it was always created from pressure, turnovers, not skating end to end.
Corey Perry/Mark Stone feeling from him, just a total unit when he's got the puck and like Stone if he's within stick length +/- 5 feet you're in deep shit
A lot is made of his offense but a lot of it was always created from pressure, turnovers, not skating end to end.
Steve Zissou
I'll order you a red cap and a Speedo.
Vilardi sees the ice really well and loves the game. I have a feeling we are going to see his smile for many years to come.
FrozenKing18
Where is my super suit?
I’m behind on all our prospects, so Amadio i’m not very familiar of, but watching a few games this season, he’s been kind of a standout. I dont remember which game it was but he took away the puck from a puck battle near the bench and went through 2 other opposing player and generated a chance and a SOG. It was a pretty thing to see.
Steve Zissou
I'll order you a red cap and a Speedo.
Amadio looked good towards the start of the season when he was stepping up his game and playing with his newly found confidence. He does play an underrated game and slides kind of beneath the radar, however, his pre-season games looking to shoot (and score) is something he needs to continue night in and night out. He did score a goal a game or two ago, but has been somewhat invisible most of the season. I would like to see him move up in the lineup to see if he can click with certain other scorers and playmakers.
SettlementRichie10
Registered User
- May 6, 2012
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I also see a lot of Stone in Vilardi.
I’ve never wanted to be more wrong about a prospect injury busting than Vilardi. If he stays healthy and gets back on development track, he would be such a huge addition to this team’s future.
I’ve never wanted to be more wrong about a prospect injury busting than Vilardi. If he stays healthy and gets back on development track, he would be such a huge addition to this team’s future.
