Sol
Smile
- Jun 30, 2017
- 24,360
- 20,462
I think he gets his cup of coffee right after his stint
Kings are desperate. There's no real reason for him to go back down to juniors.
I think he gets his cup of coffee right after his stint
Any chance he gets loaned to Canada for the WJHC?
Why in the world are people eager to burn a year off Vilardi's ELC on this dumpster fire of a Kings season, along with possible stunting this kids potential growth as a prospect ?
I can understand this side of the coin, but the Kings are going to need Vilardi on a cost controlled contract for as long as possible. I wouldn't burn a year off his ELC.It's a delicate balance. On the one hand, I agree with you completely. On the other, he scored over 1.5 points/game in the OHL last year.
While the NHL isn't a developmental league, the Kings:
A) hardly qualidy as a good NHL team
B) have better control in terms of how Vilardi is utilized/strengthened if he stays up in the NHL
Considering that they can't keep him in the AHL to properly develop, keeping him up or sending him to the OHL feels like a wasted year anyway. So it really feels like an issue of determining the lesser of two evils.
I thought you had to be 20 yrs old to play in AHL - I guess theres a conditioning exception. I share the concerns about WD tank commander having any influence on Vilardi's development. It will be good for him to play World Juniors and then he will get his 9 games with the team... from there really isnt a great option.
I can understand this side of the coin, but the Kings are going to need Vilardi on a cost controlled contract for as long as possible. I wouldn't burn a year off his ELC.
Why in the world are people eager to burn a year off Vilardi's ELC on this dumpster fire of a Kings season, along with possible stunting this kids potential growth as a prospect ?
I understand. I genuinely feel this is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. I ultimately don't think sending Vilardi back to the OHL is in the best interest of Vilardi. And frankly, the Kings need to bring the best out of Vilardi as much as possible.
On the other hand, I also feel the Kings need a better development staff anyways and better plan on how to develop players. They were very lucky to get Kopitar who was just so naturally gifted that he was able to step up and play at the age of 19 (and Doughty at 18), and they need to start learning how to bring the best out of the players.
I can honestly say neither decision will upset me. I am leaning towards having Vilardi stay up, as at least he'll be challenged a lot more in the NHL and train with pros to improve his fitness, but not wanting to waste a year of his contract is a valid argument against.
We are seeing with our own eyes real damage being done with Adrian Kempe trying to develop a highly skilled but flawed player in the NHL. I hope the Kings don't make the same mistake with Vilardi.
I understand, but the difference is 1) The AHL was a valid option for Kempe and 2) Vilardi's more talented
The concern is totally legitimate, but I don't think we can make an apples to apples comparison of the situation as they are very different.
I think the bigger problem for Kempe is his knack for really bad, momentum killing penalties.. and he is not a damn center! They need to let him excel at LW with a true center...I think it's debatable Vilardi is more talented than Kempe. Vilardi certainly isn't a better skater than Kempe. Vilardi does posses a better hockey IQ it seems so far, but he has similar issues of staying engaged as Kempe does. That's an issue you iron out in AHL not the NHL.
Agree - he reminds me of a left hand D Brown.. a bull rusher not a play maker... another sign of a mismanaged team.I think the bigger problem for Kempe is his knack for really bad, momentum killing penalties.. and he is not a damn center! They need to let him excel at LW with a true center...
We dont know what we have yet with Vilardi. His game may translate better than Kempe who doesnt seem to possess the hockey IQ that Vilardi has shown in Juniors. Still, its hard to evaluate anyone on this team offensively due to the consistent de-emphasis of offense and creativity over the years.
Pearson and Kempe were like 2 goals in 80 games combined. I dont think that happens anywhere but on this team. My point is that its hard to evaluate Kempe right now.. My gut tells me that he will be a poor mans Dustin Brown and Vilardi will be 60-70 pts a year if he stays healthyPeople keep saying this, but it's season two of the Kings showing signs of consistently being on the wrong side of the puck due to cheating for offense. The meme of (Defense only team) is not sticking anymore folks.
These players are being told offense, offense, offense, offense. It shows in their lack of commitment to 200ft of hockey the back half of last season and this season.
Might I add that Brown/Kopitar/Doughty all had career years last year in production Along with guys like Trevor Lewis.
Pearson and Kempe were like 2 goals in 80 games combined. I dont think that happens anywhere but on this team. My point is that its hard to evaluate Kempe right now.. My gut tells me that he will be a poor mans Dustin Brown and Vilardi will be 60-70 pts a year if he stays healthy
Clayton Keller got 65 pts last year at age 19. 75 players in the league were 60 pts or more. A lot has to do with system and linemates. I believe if Vilardi plays a C2 with some decent wings he will put up 60-70 pts in a couple of years.Do you know how difficult it is to score 60-70 points in the NHL ? I think you need to re-think that.