Things to watch for in the 3 players from LA in the Dubois trade

[triplcrown]

Dear Winnipeg fans,

Kings fan here.

I want to give you the scoop on what to watch for in the 3 players you got from Los Angeles in the big trade (if no one has already).

Vilardi, Kupari and Iafallo.

What do they bring?

Vilardi---HANDS. Keep your eye on his puckhandling.
His puck control can be uncanny, and it gives him great potential, IMO.
If healthy, he should be good for 30 Gs and 50-60 points.
In time, maybe more, IF healthy.
He's a converted center who seems better suited to RW, although
that could change in time, perhaps.

Kupari--SKATING.
His stride is smooth and effortless, and he's fast AF.

If he can progress to being a 35-40 point checking center (which I think he can),
you'll have a good one.
IMO, he will probably never get enough points to be a top-6 player.
But he's big and strong and skates super-well, and shows great effort on the ice.
He just has to learn to play smarter, and create more offense.

Iafallo -- Of the 3 players, I will miss Alex the most.
What does he bring? Top-level HOCKEY SENSE.
Just a super-smart player, who can play either wing or even spot-duty
at C (he's a converted center). But he's best on LW.
Plays in ALL situations.

On the Kings, Iafallo was put on the 1st line with Kopitar in
his 1st 3-4 years.
It couldn't be helped----There was no one else, but he fit in and helped Kopi, for sure.

But he really belongs, and will produce the most, as a middle-six player.

On the 1st line, he's maybe as 30-35 point player. He plays defense-1st, so playing on a top line restricts his offense since he has to defend against elite players.

On the 2nd/3rd lines, the matchups are better, and he could produce
in the 40-5o point range.

This is a guy who never played a minor league game, and went straight from the
NCAA to the NHL without missing a beat.

He is really outstanding defensively, and can be a clever and dangerous offensive player.
He plays well with Vilardi, so you have 2/3 (the wings) of a good 2nd line there.

Kupari won't fit with them though, as he is strictly a 4th-liner at this time.
......................................................................................................................................................

So there you have it.
To review---What to watch for with these 3 interesting players??
Vilardi--Hands. Needs to stay healthy.
Kupari--Skating. Needs to increase point production (assists, esp).
Iafallo--Hockey sense. Best if played in middle 6.

ENJOY!!

Click to read more...

 

[DRW204]

I have high hopes for vilardi this year. I think him Connor and Perfetti would be a great line. Think he has potential to give us beyond what PLD was here.

 

[Whileee]

I have high hopes for vilardi this year. I think him Connor and Perfetti would be a great line. Think he has potential to give us beyond what PLD was here.

Agree.

Iafallo might also fit alongside Scheifele, as a strong two-way W.

Iafallo-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Perfetti-Vilardi
Barron-Lowry-Niederreiter
Namestnikov-Kupari-Appleton

 

[Cypruss]

Dear Winnipeg fans,

Kings fan here.

I want to give you the scoop on what to watch for in the 3 players you got from Los Angeles in the big trade (if no one has already).

Vilardi, Kupari and Iafallo.

What do they bring?

Vilardi---HANDS. Keep your eye on his puckhandling.
His puck control can be uncanny, and it gives him great potential, IMO.
If healthy, he should be good for 30 Gs and 50-60 points.
In time, maybe more, IF healthy.
He's a converted center who seems better suited to RW, although
that could change in time, perhaps.

Kupari--SKATING.
His stride is smooth and effortless, and he's fast AF.

If he can progress to being a 35-40 point checking center (which I think he can),
you'll have a good one.
IMO, he will probably never get enough points to be a top-6 player.
But he's big and strong and skates super-well, and shows great effort on the ice.
He just has to learn to play smarter, and create more offense.

Iafallo -- Of the 3 players, I will miss Alex the most.
What does he bring? Top-level HOCKEY SENSE.
Just a super-smart player, who can play either wing or even spot-duty
at C (he's a converted center). But he's best on LW.
Plays in ALL situations.

On the Kings, Iafallo was put on the 1st line with Kopitar in
his 1st 3-4 years.
It couldn't be helped----There was no one else, but he fit in and helped Kopi, for sure.

But he really belongs, and will produce the most, as a middle-six player.

On the 1st line, he's maybe as 30-35 point player. He plays defense-1st, so playing on a top line restricts his offense since he has to defend against elite players.

On the 2nd/3rd lines, the matchups are better, and he could produce
in the 40-5o point range.

This is a guy who never played a minor league game, and went straight from the
NCAA to the NHL without missing a beat.

He is really outstanding defensively, and can be a clever and dangerous offensive player.
He plays well with Vilardi, so you have 2/3 (the wings) of a good 2nd line there.

Kupari won't fit with them though, as he is strictly a 4th-liner at this time.
......................................................................................................................................................

So there you have it.
To review---What to watch for with these 3 interesting players??
Vilardi--Hands. Needs to stay healthy.
Kupari--Skating. Needs to increase point production (assists, esp).
Iafallo--Hockey sense. Best if played in middle 6.

ENJOY!!

Appreciate the time you spent to share this with us @triplcrown

 

[tbcwpg]

Yeah I think Vilardi could have a breakout year where he's consistent all season. Last year he started very hot and cooled at the end of the year, I think he won't start as hot but hopefully can keep is consistent throughout the year.

Iafallo is going to be a big help defensively. Kupari I think is going to be a 4th line energy.

 

[Bigfish]

Vilardi has't played close to a full season in the last 7 years. Why is this year going to any different?

 

[enuffidiotsalready]

why is it wah-wah?!?

 

[jokesondee]

Agree.

Iafallo might also fit alongside Scheifele, as a strong two-way W.

Iafallo-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Perfetti-Vilardi
Barron-Lowry-Niederreiter
Namestnikov-Kupari-Appleton

Personally i'd like to see Namestnikov centering the 3rd line and Lowry the 4th, but its looking pretty good.

 

[surixon]

Agree.

Iafallo might also fit alongside Scheifele, as a strong two-way W.

Iafallo-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Perfetti-Vilardi
Barron-Lowry-Niederreiter
Namestnikov-Kupari-Appleton

That's a config I hadn't thought about but I like it.

 

[surixon]

Personally i'd like to see Namestnikov centering the 3rd line, but its looking pretty good.

I wonder if we have the talent to do a 3A/3B line. One line more offensive, one line more suppression.

Nino Name Kupri
Barron Lowry Appelton

Deploy based on game situation/state.

 

[jokesondee]

I wonder if we have the talent to do a 3A/3B line. One line more offensive, one line more suppression.

Nino Name Kupri
Barron Lowry Appelton

Deploy based on game situation/state.

I like that. Just hope Kupari can contribute offensively. Maybe just needs the chance. Heres hoping.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Vilardi has't played close to a full season in the last 7 years. Why is this year going to any different?

Hes played several full seasons spilt between leagues, World Juniors etc.. His longest injury was he was out a month twice over a couple of seasons.

 

[scelaton]

If you put the 3 where triplcrown has suggested, if Scheifele remains 1C and Connor and Scheif are separated, it looks like this:

xx Scheif Ehlers
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
xx xx Iafallo
xx Kupari xx

If Namestnikov gets a chance at 3C and Nino gets a chance to be a defensively responsible mucker/scorer on line 1, then you have:

Nino Scheif Ehlers
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
Barron Namest Iafallo
Lowry Kupari Apples

Lowry gets demoted in this configuration, but he will play lots of PK and could play C or LW anywhere in the bottom 6.

That's a pretty deep lineup.

 

[Buffdog]

If you put the 3 where triplcrown has suggested, if Scheifele remains 1C and Connor and Scheif are separated, it looks like this:

xx Scheif Ehlers
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
xx xx Iafallo
xx Kupari xx

If Namestnikov gets a chance at 3C and Nino gets a chance to be a defensively responsible mucker/scorer on line 1, then you have:

Nino Scheif Ehlers
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
Barron Namest Iafallo
Lowry Kupari Apples

Lowry gets demoted in this configuration, but he will play lots of PK and could play C or LW anywhere in the bottom 6.

That's a pretty deep lineup.

Lowry isn't getting demoted to the 4th line, let alone on the wing. Swap him and names and I think you're close

In a different thread I had

Ehlers Schief Vilardi
Connor Perfetti Nino
Barron Lowry Iafallo
Names Kupari Apples

 

[Whileee]

However it's configured, the Jets' forward group is going to be much deeper and more balanced than last season. If Ehlers and Perfetti have longer and healthier seasons, that adds to the improvement.

On D, a full season with Samberg on a 2nd or 3rd pair and anchoring the PK, along with any improvement from Pionk, should make the D a bit stronger, too.

At this point, the Jets' line-up looks better than last year's. If they avoid a 2-month scoring and goaltending slump and play the way they did in the second half in terms of play control, they could be a handful.

 

[BoneDocUK]

If you put the 3 where triplcrown has suggested, if Scheifele remains 1C and Connor and Scheif are separated, it looks like this:

xx Scheif Ehlers
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
xx xx Iafallo
xx Kupari xx

If Namestnikov gets a chance at 3C and Nino gets a chance to be a defensively responsible mucker/scorer on line 1, then you have:

Nino Scheif Ehlers
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
Barron Namest Iafallo
Lowry Kupari Apples

Lowry gets demoted in this configuration, but he will play lots of PK and could play C or LW anywhere in the bottom 6.

That's a pretty deep lineup.

That looks good to me. I just don't see much chance of Lowry playing anywhere but 3C. Feels like one of those written-in-stone Jets decisions that may or may not make sense outside the room, but is as default as it gets.

I can actually imagine them screening out HC candidates with the sneaky "Would you, under any circumstances, consider playing Adam Lowry below the third-line centre position, where we feel he's most effective?" question.

Answer "Yes," and be shown the door.

Liking the stronger F depth though, and think Kupari might be a solid addition to a more trusted and hence more played 4th line.

Top 6 should be more consistent, bottom 6 will hopefully score more like an actually good and contributing NHL bottom 6, while being defensively sound and keeping up a strong PK.

PP who knows? Maybe losing Wheeler is the addition by subtraction we need, while gaining Villardi already looks like addition by addition.

 

[10Ducky10]

Vilardi has't played close to a full season in the last 7 years. Why is this year going to any different?

He played more games last years than Ehlers.

Perfetti Schief Nino
Connor Vilardi Kup
Iafallo Names Ehlers
Barron Lowry Apples

 

[Jetabre]

On paper the Jets forward group is stronger after this trade and acquiring Nino/Names..Last season our forward depth was atrocious, just really hope Perfetti or Vilardi can play 2c well for the Jets.

 

[Jets 31]

Vilardi has't played close to a full season in the last 7 years. Why is this year going to any different?

Even if he only plays 60 games this is a absolutely great trade by Chevy. Dubois may dress for 80 games but he no shows in alot of games.

 

[Flair Hay]

Awesome, thanks for this.

With Scheifele being more of an offense driven C, it does make a lot of sense to have Vilardi with him.

Iafello sounds a ton like Tanev, who we only lost because we thought we didn't have the cap space to keep (a couple months before Buff walked away)

I imagine Iafello and Niederreiter will be pretty interchangeable in the middle six.

However it's configured, the Jets' forward group is going to be much deeper and more balanced than last season. If Ehlers and Perfetti have longer and healthier seasons, that adds to the improvement.

On D, a full season with Samberg on a 2nd or 3rd pair and anchoring the PK, along with any improvement from Pionk, should make the D a bit stronger, too.

At this point, the Jets' line-up looks better than last year's. If they avoid a 2-month scoring and goaltending slump and play the way they did in the second half in terms of play control, they could be a handful.

Things are looking much better in terms of forward depth. I do worry about us having to convert a winger to C essentially out of necessity. Who knows, maybe it will work out?

 

[DRW204]

I guess this is a lineup thread now? I have

Nino-scheifele-ehlers
Connor-Vilardi-perfetti
Iafallo-Lowry-namestnikov
Barron-kupari-appelton

 

[scelaton]

That looks good to me. I just don't see much chance of Lowry playing anywhere but 3C. Feels like one of those written-in-stone Jets decisions that may or may not make sense outside the room, but is as default as it gets.

I can actually imagine them screening out HC candidates with the sneaky "Would you, under any circumstances, consider playing Adam Lowry below the third-line centre position, where we feel he's most effective?" question.

Answer "Yes," and be shown the door.

Liking the stronger F depth though, and think Kupari might be a solid addition to a more trusted and hence more played 4th line.

Top 6 should be more consistent, bottom 6 will hopefully score more like an actually good and contributing NHL bottom 6, while being defensively sound and keeping up a strong PK.

PP who knows? Maybe losing Wheeler is the addition by subtraction we need, while gaining Villardi already looks like addition by addition.

I agree with you about the Lowry situation and tried to qualify his placement in my post. It was mostly to illustrate that in a deep lineup he is not necessarily the choice for 3C. Namestnikov is a more gifted 2-way C, Iafallo might be a better 2-way winger--we will see--but all of a sudden we have the makings of a different kind of top-9.

The post wasn't about Lowry, who is an important asset for many reasons--it was about depth.

 

[scelaton]

Not sure whether this belongs in the advanced stats thread, but at last count triplcrownn has garnered 69% of his lifetime likes (LL%) from his one post here. That is far higher than his xL%, which admittedly has not been well-validated as an accurate predictor of future likes.

He sure must like playing in the Peg, though.

 

[Buffdog]

Not sure whether this belongs in the advanced stats thread, but at last count triplcrownn has garnered 69% of his lifetime likes (LL%) from his one post here. That is far higher than his xL%, which admittedly has not been well-validated as an accurate predictor of future likes.

He sure must like playing in the Peg, though.

As a guy who boats a 2.06L/P (likes per post), I feel like triplcrownn should make a few more posts in here to boost his stats

 

[Gabe Kupari]

If you want to run 3 strong lines plus a 4th defensive one with Barron Lowry Appleton and not play them like a 4th line but spread minutes more evenly throughout your 4 lines...

Iafallo Scheif Vilardi
Connor Perfetti Kupari (Kupari brings size and physical nature and is apparently solid on the boards)
Nino Names Ehlers ( mad chemistry last season between nik and names)
Barron Lowry Apples extra forward is the SJ goon for central games against Minnesota and teams of that nature