The Winnipeg Jets have secured the services of restricted free agent Gabriel Vilardi by signing him to a six-year deal. As reported by SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman, the 25-year-old winger’s contract carries a $7.5 million cap hit extending through the 2030-31 season. Vilardi initially filed for arbitration in early July, but this agreement spares both sides from hearings where the Jets would have had to argue against Vilardi’s valuation.
Among RFAs who’ve signed since free agency began on July 1, Vilardi’s cap hit matches that of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman K’Andre Miller. In the last 71 games, Vilardi posted career-best numbers with 27 goals, 34 assists, and 61 points, marking a significant breakout season compared to his previous 36-point and 41-point campaigns in 2023-24 and 2022-23 respectively.
Vilardi played a key role on the Jets’ top line alongside Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, who tallied 97 and 87 points. The Kingston, Ontario native was selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut in February 2020 after spending over two years in development. Although he struggled briefly in the 2021 season and was sent to AHL Ontario, he scored 38 points in 39 AHL games before being recalled and has remained in the NHL since.
The Kings traded Vilardi to the Jets in exchange for Alex Iafalo, Rasmus Cupali, and a second-round pick in 2024. With Vilardi’s recent form, he could replicate or surpass the scoring output of Pierre-Luc Dubois, who posted 60 and 63 points in full seasons for Winnipeg. Following this signing, the Jets have about $10.5 million in cap space remaining, with Kupari and Dylan Samberg still as RFAs.
Fan Take: This re-signing is huge for the Jets as Vilardi’s rising star power promises to boost their offensive depth for years to come. For hockey fans, it highlights how young talent development and smart contract management can invigorate a team’s competitive future in the league.
