The Jets have activated Vilardi (knee) from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's matchup with Edmonton.
Vilardi was expected to be a game-time decision Thursday versus the Oilers, but the activation points to him returning to the lineup against Edmonton. Vilardi has missed the last 18 games with his knee injury -- he has one assist in three games this season. Look for Vilardi to slot into a middle-six role against the Oilers.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Could play Thursday
Rotowire
Vilardi (knee) will be a game-time decision versus Edmonton on Thursday, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Vilardi was injured Oct. 17 and has missed the last 18 games. Vilardi had one assist in three games before he was hurt. Look for Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to be a healthy scratch, should Vilardi return to the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Questionable for Thursday
Rotowire
Coach Rick Bowness is hopeful Vilardi (knee) will play in Thursday's game against Edmonton, but nothing is set in stone, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.
Vilardi hasn't been in the lineup since Oct. 17. Before getting hurt, he had an assist, nine shots and two blocks in three contests. If Vilardi does play Thursday, then Axel Jonsson-Fjallby might be a healthy scratch versus the Oilers.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Not quite ready to return
Rotowire
Per Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site, Vilardi (knee) won't play Tuesday against Dallas, but he could be ready to return Thursday versus Edmonton.
Vilardi, who hasn't played since Oct. 17 against the Kings, might end up being a game-time decision for Thursday's contest. The 24-year-old forward is expected to be a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Vilardi is projected to return to the second line once he is cleared to play.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Back at practice
Rotowire
Vilardi (knee) practiced with his teammates Monday for the first time since suffering a knee injury Oct. 17 against the Kings, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Although this was obviously a step in the right direction for Vilardi, he still practiced in a non-contact jersey Monday, and while Billeck believes there's a chance Vilardi could return Sunday against Nashville, he thinks a more realistic target for the 24-year-old's return is Nov. 28 against the Stars. Once given the green light, look for Vilardi to step into a top-six role and a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Might practice next week
Rotowire
Vilardi (knee) isn't ready to participate in practices, but that's expected to change next week, John Lu of TSN reports Wednesday.
Vilardi hasn't played since Oct. 17 because of the injury. He has an assist in three contests this year. Vilardi should slot into a middle-six role and receive power-play ice time once he's cleared to return.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Skates Thursday
Rotowire
Vilardi (knee) skated for the first time Thursday since suffering his knee injury, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
By getting back on the ice, Vilardi took another step toward returning from his long-term knee problem. Still, the 24-year-old center is not expected back until late November at the earliest after being given an initial 4-6 week recovery timeline. Once cleared to play, Vilardi should be in contention to reclaim his place in the top six.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Goes on injured reserve
Rotowire
Vilardi (knee) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
Vilardi is set to miss 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL, so this is not a surprising move. The 24-year-old could be later shifted to long-term injured reserve if the Jets bump up against the salary cap ceiling.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Set for 4-6 week absence
Rotowire
Vilardi will be out of action for 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports Wednesday.
Vilardi was forced to leave Tuesday's matchup with the Kings after just 2:23 of ice time upon suffering his knee injury. With the 24-year-old Ontario native on the shelf, Nikolaj Ehlers moved up to the No. 1 power-play unit while Mason Appleton or Rasmus Kupari could both be candidates for a first-line spot. Given Vilardi's recovery timeline, he should be expected to land on injured reserve shortly.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Exits Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Vilardi (lower body) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Kings.
Vilardi was injured on a hit from Blake Lizotte in the first period. The fact that Vilardi was ruled out for the game before the intermission suggests it could be a significant injury, but an update on the forward's status is unlikely to come before the end of the contest.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Returning Thursday
Rotowire
Vilardi (illness) is expected to play Thursday versus the Senators, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
Vilardi sat out Saturday's practice and Monday's game versus the Flames with the illness. The 24-year-old forward will contend for a top-six role this season. He produced 23 goals, 18 assists and 122 shots on goal over 63 games with the Kings last year before he was included in the package traded to Winnipeg for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Vilardi didn't take part in Saturday's practice because of an illness, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
It is unclear at this time if Vilardi will be ready to return to the ice Sunday or play in Monday's preseason contest against Calgary. Consider him day-to-day for now. Vilardi is slated to open the 2023-24 campaign on Winnipeg's top line alongside Kyle Connor (illness) and Mark Scheifele.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Inks two-year deal
Rotowire
Vilardi signed a two-year, $6.875 million contact with the Jets on Wednesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Vilardi, who was a restricted free agent, was acquired by Winnipeg from LA on June 27 as part of the Pierre-Luc Dubois deal. Vilardi played in 63 contests with the Kings last season, setting career highs in goals (23) and points (41) over that span. The 23-year-old should serve in a top-six capacity with Winnipeg in 2023-24.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Shipped to Winnipeg
Rotowire
Winnipeg acquired Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and Montreal's second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft from the Kings on Tuesday in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Vilardi is coming off a career year offensively in which he recorded 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games. The 23-year-old forward is projected to slot into a top-six spot with the Jets next season. It's unclear at this time if he will line up as a center or on the wing, but he is capable of playing either position.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Gabriel Vilardi: Collects goal in loss to Edmonton
Rotowire
Vilardi netted a goal in LA's 5-4 overtime loss to Edmonton in Game 4 on Sunday.
Vilardi supplied the opening goal of the contest midway through the first period. It was his second marker and third point in three playoff outings this year. Over 63 regular-season appearances, Vilardi set career highs with 23 goals and 41 points.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Gabriel Vilardi: Returns with goal in Game 2 loss
Rotowire
Vilardi scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.
Vilardi missed 10 games with an upper-body injury, but he was able to resume his usual third-line role. His goal late in the second period tied the game at 2-2, but the Kings couldn't keep their momentum up in the final frame. Vilardi's return should be a big boost for the Kings' depth -- he had 23 tallies, 18 assists, 122 shots on net and a plus-10 rating in 63 regular-season outings.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Gabriel Vilardi: Good to go
Rotowire
Vilardi (upper body) has declared himself "ready to go" for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Oilers, Ryan Rishaug of TSN reports.
Vilardi should return to a middle-six role and a spot on one of LA's power-play units after missing the final nine games of the regular season as well as Monday's Game 1 win over the Oilers. He's racked up 23 goals and 41 points through 63 contests this year.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Gabriel Vilardi: Won't play Monday
Rotowire
Vilardi (upper body) won't play Monday in Game 1 against Edmonton, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.
It's unclear at this time when Vilardi will be available to return to the lineup. He also missed the final nine games of the regular season. Vilardi compiled 23 goals, 41 points and 122 shots on net in 63 contests during the 2022-23 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Gabriel Vilardi: Skating before practice Saturday
Rotowire
Vilardi (upper body) is not practicing Saturday, but he did skate before practice, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports.
Vilardi missed the last nine games of the regular season with the injury. He completed the season with 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games. Consider Vilardi questionable at best for Game 1 versus Edmonton on Monday.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Gabriel Vilardi: Remains out
Rotowire
Vilardi (upper body) won't play Thursday versus the Ducks, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.
There's been little information on Vilardi's status since he exited the lineup nearly three weeks ago. He'll remain day-to-day heading into the postseason.
