The Winnipeg Jets’ management team continued to check things off their summer To Do list, as they announced the hockey club has reached an agreement with Gabriel Vilardi on a new contract extension.
One of the Jets’ top Restricted Free Agents, the 25 year old right winger was coming off a record setting campaign, with career highs in goals (27), assists, (34), and points (61) so it is a great piece of news that Gabe will be donning a Winnipeg jersey for years to come. Officially inked to a $45M contract covering the next 6 NHL seasons, Vilardi will get a huge raise with a yearly average of $7.5M (up from $3.4M last year).
Here is how the 6’3″ right winger has done so far in his hockey journey (via PuckPedia):
I am sure that head coach Scott Arniel was glad to hear the news, which will give him the option of running back last year’s top unit featuring Mark Scheifele (87 pts), Kyle Connor (97 pts), & Vilardi.
Yet the work is not done for GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, as he still has to deal with RFAs Dylan Samberg & Parker Ford (Chevy was quick & signed Ford for 2 yr @ $812,500 while I was writing this) before considering new contracts for Winnipeg’s upcoming UFAs like Adam Lowry & Connor.
What do you think about the deal??? Personally, if Vilardi can have relatively healthy seasons in the future, his down low play will be a big boost for the Jets in upcoming years.
