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KINGS Rd 1 #11 overall GABRIEL VILARDI

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The guy had an injury and an appendectomy this year and played as many games as one could play. I see no problem with giving him a few weeks off.
 
kings11 said:
:laugh: you A$$....

but seems about right, the kid went through a lot this season and still came up big... much deserved rest, although I wonder if hadn't been injured and then almost immediately dealt with the appendectomy would he have been afforded the opportunity to challenge for a roster spot this coming season?? NHL ready body, NHL ready game...
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He's not ready for the NHL yet. Needs at least one more year in junior then I would like to see him get one year in Ontario (AHL). I don't think he needs to be rushed. Just let the kid continue to grow and progress.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
He reminds me of Toffoli in that way.

TT's skating has improved to 'average,' but you never see him get caught--reason: IQ. He knows where to be.

Vilardi has a similarly 'ugly' stride but has no problems getting from point A to point B. I might be skeptical, but the skating thing looks extremely overblown.
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Rocky, I've seen you mention it a few times -- care to elaborate why you're skeptical of Vilardi? What is that's holding you back, brother?
 
KingTrouty said:
Rocky, I've seen you mention it a few times -- care to elaborate why you're skeptical of Vilardi? What is that's holding you back, brother?
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Maybe 'skeptical' isn't the right word. I think he's gonna be a good player. I just remember having the same attitude about him before the draft, so I don't want to change my opinion on him just because we drafted him.

My only skepticism was that sometimes guys drop for a reason--not every one of them is a steal. For every Kopitar, there's several Tukonens. I remember the "oh my god how did Pittsburgh get Angelo Esposito in the second?!? He's gonna be with Crosby, rich get richer, what a steal," etc.

I'm excited about him, don't get me wrong, I just don't think he's a surefire top-sixer. But if there's one team where 'iffy' skating can be fixed and isn't as much of a concern, it's here, so I've come around a ton on his 'fit' as a King. Frankly he reminds me a lot of a high-profile Amadio.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
Maybe 'skeptical' isn't the right word. I think he's gonna be a good player. I just remember having the same attitude about him before the draft, so I don't want to change my opinion on him just because we drafted him.

My only skepticism was that sometimes guys drop for a reason--not every one of them is a steal. For every Kopitar, there's several Tukonens.

I'm excited about him, don't get me wrong, I just don't think he's a surefire top-sixer. But if there's one team where 'iffy' skating can be fixed and isn't as much of a concern, it's here, so I've come around a ton on his 'fit' as a King.
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Thanks for the reply, RJ! :yo:

I was encouraged when I read that he was never behind the play, that his line-mates never had to wait for him. Apparently, it's his first two steps of his stride that are a bit wonky, where a skater explodes -- but as someone else mentioned (maybe it was KP) -- he's more quick than fast. He must have really well developed quick-twitch muscles.

I have faith we have a gem on our hands from all I've read, as well as the ruage of other fanbases that picked before us. :)
 
kovacro said:
He's not ready for the NHL yet. Needs at least one more year in junior then I would like to see him get one year in Ontario (AHL). I don't think he needs to be rushed. Just let the kid continue to grow and progress.
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I agree, another year in juniors will allow him to continue his physical maturity and mental approach..

Overall, I don't see him spending anytime in the AHL. I think the kid will likely be 6-4, 220 by the time he hits 19YO and will force his way onto the team... I've gone out on a limb and stated that...

Michael Amadio will be on the Kings roster this season 2017-'18

Gabriel Vilardi in 2018-'19

JAD in 2019-'20.... think he moves to the wing
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
Maybe 'skeptical' isn't the right word. I think he's gonna be a good player. I just remember having the same attitude about him before the draft, so I don't want to change my opinion on him just because we drafted him.

My only skepticism was that sometimes guys drop for a reason--not every one of them is a steal. For every Kopitar, there's several Tukonens. I remember the "oh my god how did Pittsburgh get Angelo Esposito in the second?!? He's gonna be with Crosby, rich get richer, what a steal," etc.

I'm excited about him, don't get me wrong, I just don't think he's a surefire top-sixer. But if there's one team where 'iffy' skating can be fixed and isn't as much of a concern, it's here, so I've come around a ton on his 'fit' as a King. Frankly he reminds me a lot of a high-profile Amadio.
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The reason is simple RJ, scouts have gone on record as saying they think Vilardi isn't a fit for the more uptempo game as it currently stands... So his skating spooks a lot of teams even tho once he's in transition the kid is pretty darn quick... although Vilardi is not fast he is quick and sudden in tight areas which allows him to dominate...
 
kings11 said:
The reason is simple RJ, scouts have gone on record as saying they think Vilardi isn't a fit for the more uptempo game as it currently stands... So his skating spooks a lot of teams even tho once he's in transition the kid is pretty darn quick... although Vilardi is not fast he is quick and sudden in tight areas which allows him to dominate...
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Oh I know. I think the day he was drafted that's the explanation a few of us were looking it; it's a copycat league and Vilardi isn't a high-flying skater. But I DO think his deficiencies are overblown by looking bad as opposed to performing badly. And he's already working on it with a top powerskating coach according to a reputable dude in the prospects forum so he knows. I shouldn't be worried. If Toffoli can figure that part out, so can Vilardi. Unpopular opinion: "speed" for the sake of speed is overrated, and the Kings play fast when it's working.
 
Bandit said:
Pretty sure he won't be AHL eligible for 3 years.
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Yes, your right..

Players drafted and playing for CHL teams are ineligible to play in the professional minor leagues (AHL, ECHL) until they are 20 years old (by December 31st of that year) or have completed four years in major juniors. (Aug 1, 2012).
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
Oh I know. I think the day he was drafted that's the explanation a few of us were looking it; it's a copycat league and Vilardi isn't a high-flying skater. But I DO think his deficiencies are overblown by looking bad as opposed to performing badly. And he's already working on it with a top powerskating coach according to a reputable dude in the prospects forum so he knows. I shouldn't be worried. If Toffoli can figure that part out, so can Vilardi. Unpopular opinion: "speed" for the sake of speed is overrated, and the Kings play fast when it's working.
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Rocky, do you have a link to that thread? Thanks, brudda
 
I think I might be more interested in the development Vilardi and Jaret Anderson-Dolan than in the big club. I am going to have subscribe to NHL Live if I want to see the Kings (I am in Vegas), and I won't be able to see most games live because of my job, is that worth $150? Probably not. With CHL Live, I don't need to see the games live because I won't find out the outcome unless I seek it out. Yes, I realize it will run me $250-300 to get just Windsor & Spokane, I guess i'll have to get some feedback from the mainboards on the quality.
 
You may want to search Reddit for NHL and look up Stream to find what you are seeking.

As for the CHL games, they do tend to post highlights quite frequently and usually run the big tournament games like the Prospects Game, World Juniors, and Memorial Cup all on the NHL Network.

Back to Vilardi, if he tears up the OHL this season as an 18-year old, will there be anything left for him to prove in juniors after this season? He'll be entering his third season in juniors this season and already won a Memorial Cup as a 17-year old.

I would think that after his season is complete, he'll have to make the Kings as a 19-year old rookie at the start of the 2018-19 season. He won't be eligible to play in the AHL until 2019, all thanks to such a stupid rule, all for the benefit of the greedy CHL.
 
It's all up to him. He can play well enough to force their hand. But he's going to have to play very, VERY well to do that, like a Doughty-tier camp circa 2008.
 
I think he's got the skill to make it, but I hope he doesn't. Would rather he develop appropriately like we used to do.Should be allowed to dominate lower levels first
 
If he has a great camp you let him play a few shifts in a game or two then you send him back to junior.
 
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