Man Crush Monday : Gabe Vilardi – Halloween Edition

[Steve Zissou]

Click to read more...

 

[kilowatt]

The key to Vilardi’s success is nutrition.

 

[BigBrown]

It's almost hard to believe it's the same guy as last season. Not sure I've ever seen a turnaround like this, he's been unreal. Keep it going, Gabe!

 

[Sol]

I’m convinced he’s Armenian. He looks it too much. Gabriel Vilardian

 

[123slam]

I firmly believe having him in the lineup against EDM would've given us enough edge to win the series. Even with his level of play matching last year and not this year. Moreso than having Doughty in the lineup for the series. Just my 2 cents.

Ordered my Vilardi jersey after the 4th game this season. You could just feel this is his year.

Pro tip: don't make the same mistake as me and get your jersey customized on NHL shop. Hockey authentic is the only place to get your jersey stitched up. Name plate vs. actual stitched letters woven into the jersey. Can't cancel customized orders unfortunately, so if anyone wants an Alternate Vilardi jersey (size 52) for 10% off sticker price, hit me up!

 

[RocketKing]

Im super happy for Gabe. The guys faced some real to life challenges and managed to find ways to succeed. He’s a great player for sure but keep in mind how he got there. Talk about mental strength, this guy has it.

 

[Mats26]

I posted a comment a few years ago and I said something along the lines that Vilardi was the key to our rebuild. He is the catalyst to turn this team over from the old guard. We see it happening now. The next flock of birds will be lead by him and of course the bridge players like Moore, Danault, Fiala, Kempe will play major roles in that too. We are in good hands with these players. I finally see some light post Kopitar.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

I’m convinced he’s Armenian. He looks it too much. Gabriel Vilardian

Actually Vilardi is Canadian.Italian,Canadian

I posted a comment a few years ago and I said something along the lines that Vilardi was the key to our rebuild. He is the catalyst to turn this team over from the old guard. We see it happening now. The next flock of birds will be lead by him and of course the bridge players like Moore, Danault, Fiala, Kempe will play major roles in that too. We are in good hands with these players. I finally see some light post Kopitar.

Are you saying all those players are bridge players? And Kopi is gone now. He looked pretty darn good against STL

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Can see why he was touted as high as 3rd overall.

Sky is the limit and so, so stoked not only because he helps the team, but we really watched the guy go through some shit. You could see the frustration written on his face year after year and his exuberance this year is a total joy to watch from a hockey and human standpoint.

Glad my avatar is applicable, knew he'd come thru...but as optimistic as I was I never thought he'd break thru to THIS level of production. Obviously it's a long season and anything can happen but I had him at a 70-pt winger ceiling.

Lottttttts of crow being eaten both on this forum ("call me when Gabe stays on NHL ice") and the trade forum ("just pick him up on waivers, bust, dont' trade for him").

And @All The Kings Men calls that move The Gabe Salute I think?

 

[Mats26]

Actually Vilardi is Canadian.Italian,Canadian


Are you saying all those players are bridge players? And Kopi is gone now. He looked pretty darn good against STL

Those 26 year olds+ players will eventually be our vet leaders in 2 years once Kopitar hits the end of his contract. Kopi will be 37 at that time, we need to infuse new leadership and top line roles by then. If Kopi is still our 1C at 37, we have a problem.

 

[BringTheReign]

I firmly believe having him in the lineup against EDM would've given us enough edge to win the series. Even with his level of play matching last year and not this year. Moreso than having Doughty in the lineup for the series. Just my 2 cents.

Ordered my Vilardi jersey after the 4th game this season. You could just feel this is his year.

Pro tip: don't make the same mistake as me and get your jersey customized on NHL shop. Hockey authentic is the only place to get your jersey stitched up. Name plate vs. actual stitched letters woven into the jersey. Can't cancel customized orders unfortunately, so if anyone wants an Alternate Vilardi jersey (size 52) for 10% off sticker price, hit me up!

I don't think Arvidsson would've tipped the scales, but yeah, a healthy Doughty or THIS Vilardi ends that series in Game 6.

 

[Schrute farms]

I always believed in Gabe...just needed time and the opportunity. Of course, I didn't think it would happen so fast & so impactful.

The great thing is that it allows some breathing room for Turcotte & Byfield. Turc from an injury standpoint and not feeling like he's a bust. Plenty of time for him to eventually get healthy, turn things around and be an impactful player in a couple years. Byfield simply not feeling the need (player & team) to force him in a top role for a playoff contending team and requiring him to carry the torch when he's not fully developed & ready to do so. Plenty of time for him.

 

[Lt Dan]

The key to Vilardi’s success is nutrition.

you are faster than the speed of Lt Dan, so I will post these instead

 

[ibleedkings]

Watch these clips of Gabe during his draft year. He’s now doing that kind of stuff to grown NHL men.

 

[Little Psycho]

I’m convinced he’s Armenian. He looks it too much. Gabriel Vilardian

He looks like my first ex boyfriend who was Armenian. Did a double take when I first saw Vilardi lol.

 

[Telos]

Gabe has been a little bit of a surprise, though it was clear that he was always skilled enough. Hopefully, he keeps his head down, continues to push forward, and stays healthy. Also hope he stays on the wing, but I can see the Kings getting desperate and slotting him 2C if others fail to rise to the challenge.

Obviously, the Kings desperately need one of these kids to show promise of becoming the 1C replacement for Kopitar. I was hoping Turcotte would slot on 2C but man we have been cursed with prospect injuries... Although, I am more worried about contracts now more than anything If Vilardi keeps it up, the likes of Walker, Arvidsson, and Iafallo definitely need to be moved to make space. Then you have Anderson's extension as well...

 

[Lt Dan]

He looks like my first ex boyfriend who was Armenian. Did a double take when I first saw Vilardi lol.

Just think, you could have been Little Psychoain!

I am here all week...be sure to tip your waiters and waitresses!

 

[Choralone]

The real question: Does Gabe drive a BMW?

 

[Little Psycho]

Just think, you could have been Little Psychoain!

I am here all week...be sure to tip your waiters and waitresses!

I'm Armenian so I already got the yan going for me

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Great writeup by Stephens

'I had more to prove this year': How Gabriel Vilardi finally arrived

It's taken the 23-year-old Vilardi a while to hit his stride in the NHL, but he's currently leading the Kings with 11 points in 10 games.

theathletic.com

Some interesting notes about his attitude and working hard but also points out how Gabe used to just try to finesse everyoen but now that he's gotten stronger, the base of his game is puck protection/strength and he walks out the skill from there.

It was really noticeable when he was challenging parayko last night, thats one of the only dmen that used to give Kopi tons of trouble and Gabe pretty much dogwalked him all night even when parayko tried to pin him.

Also, did anyone notice after the goal that Vilardi is bigger than Kopitar? Taller, I mean? That's insane.

 

[All The Kings Men]

And @All The Kings Men calls that move The Gabe Salute I think?

Arms straight, knee up, screaming at the hockey gods

 

[Steve Zissou]

did anyone notice after the goal that Vilardi is bigger than Kopitar? That's insane.

<Italian accent>
We don’t need any of this shower talk in this thread. Let’s keep it PG, eh?
</end Italian accent>

 

[All The Kings Men]

Arms straight, knee up, screaming at the hockey gods

 

[Matt13]

The real question: Does Gabe drive a BMW?

I did see him at the Glendale Galleria shopping for a pager.

 

[BigKing]

Great writeup by Stephens

'I had more to prove this year': How Gabriel Vilardi finally arrived

It's taken the 23-year-old Vilardi a while to hit his stride in the NHL, but he's currently leading the Kings with 11 points in 10 games.

theathletic.com

Some interesting notes about his attitude and working hard but also points out how Gabe used to just try to finesse everyoen but now that he's gotten stronger, the base of his game is puck protection/strength and he walks out the skill from there.

It was really noticeable when he was challenging parayko last night, thats one of the only dmen that used to give Kopi tons of trouble and Gabe pretty much dogwalked him all night even when parayko tried to pin him.

Also, did anyone notice after the goal that Vilardi is bigger than Kopitar? Taller, I mean? That's insane.

I didn't believe what we are seeing right now would happen--at least not with the Kings--and felt Blake held too long because last season was horrific for Vilardi and I placed a lot of that on him and his attitude/ethic.

I've always been super high on his potential and called him the most skilled of all the forward prospects Blake has selected but he looked like a guy letting it all slip away from him last season until he would become a reclamation project. Fast forward to training camp and he has been nothing but assertive which will take him a long way when paired with his skill and size.

I said that Byfield's summer was the most important thing to the Kings organization. Well, Vilardi seems to have made the move I wanted from Byfield and buys him some more time as it relates to needing immediate production for this team to win games.