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Gabe Vilardi

Snapshots: Pacioretty, Lucic, Simmonds, Vilardi

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The Montreal Canadiens look like they have no choice but to trade their star player in Max Pacioretty. With the 29-year-old entering the final year of his contract and little interest from Montreal to lock him up to a long-term deal, this is their only chance to move him. However, what makes things challenging for general manager Marc Bergevin and the Canadiens is that Pacioretty is coming off a disappointing year in which he produced just 17 goals in injury-plagued season after posting four straight years of 30 or more goals.

However, time is not Bergevin’s friend and the team has little choice but to try to move his contract now rather than wait to trade him as a rental in February. NBC Sports Joey Alfieri suggests five teams that might be good fits for Pacioretty with the Chicago Blackhawks leading the way. Pacioretty would be the perfect fit for Chicago considering the team’s biggest acquisition this offseason has been backup goaltender Cam Ward. However, the Blackhawks might be challenged to put together a quality package for Pacioretty.

However, another more interesting option would be the New Jersey Devils, who have the cap space to make it work and Pacioretty, a native of Connecticut – a mere 70 miles away — might be willing to stay with a team that already has an intruiging cast including Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall.

  • In a recent podcast on Spittin’ Chiclets, Edmonton Oilers forward Milan Lucic talked about his disappointing season in Edmonton which has his name and his contract being thrown around in potential trade rumors. Regardless, Lucic had nothing but great things to say about the Oilers’ organization and takes a lot of the blame for his poor season. Lucic, who signed a seven-year, $42MM deal in 2016, still has five years remaining at $6MM AAV. However, after posting 23 goals and 50 points in the first year of his deal, Lucic’s numbers took a nosedive as he tallied just 10 goals and 34 points and he didn’t miss a single game all season. “I think it was definitely more of a mental thing,” Lucic said. “It was almost like everything that could have gone wrong went wrong for our team and for me personally and it was the snowball effect or the quicksand effect. I think my mindset got very negative last year. So I was almost my own worst enemy, where this year I’m just going in with a happy, healthier mindset.”
  • Dave Isaac of the Cherry Hill Courier-Post writes that Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall has kept a close on the New York Islanders and John Tavares situation and isn’t interested in letting any of his players go. With winger Wayne Simmonds entering the final year of his contract, will probably price himself out of Philadelphia and the fact that he likely will end up on the team’s third line this year, don’t be surprised if Hextall trades Simmonds at the trade deadline next year. The 29-year-old has put up 28 or more goals for the past four years in Philadelphia, but struggled with nagging injuries last year, tallying 24 goals.
  • The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman reports that Los Angeles Kings prospect Gabe Vilardi will not be participating in the World Junior Showcase for Hockey Canada after Vilardi suffered a back injury. While not considered serious, Vilardi has had issues with his back before as he missed all but 32 games this past year with the OHL Kingston Frontenacs. Vilardi, the team’s first-round pick in 2017, will have a chance to break into the Kings’ lineup if he has a good showing in training camp.

Team Canada Announces Summer Showcase Roster

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The World Junior Summer Showcase is scheduled for July 28-Aug 4, and will see the very best U20 players match up in hopes of being selected to their country’s national team for the IIHF World Junior Championship in late December. USA Hockey already released their list of invitees to the tournament, and today Hockey Canada did the same. Maxime Comtois, Robert Thomas and Alex Formenton are back from the reigning gold medal-winning club while plenty of other top NHL prospects will be there. This list will get whittled down before the tournament begins, but even an invitation to training camp is an honor for these players.

The full roster is as follows:

G Michael DiPietro (VAN, 64th overall, 2017)
G Olivier Rodrigue (EDM, 62nd overall, 2018)
G Matthew Villalta (LAK, 72nd overall, 2017)
G Matthew Welsh (undrafted)

D Calen Addison (PIT, 53rd overall, 2018)
D Kevin Bahl (ARZ, 55th overall, 2018)
D Nicolas Beaudin (CHI, 27th overall, 2018)
D Jacob Bernard-Docker (OTT, 26th overall, 2018)
D Evan Bouchard (EDM, 10th overall, 2018)
D Josh Brook (MTL, 56th overall, 2017)
D Noah Dobson (NYI, 12th overall, 2018)
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph (ARI, 23rd overall, 2017)
D Jared McIsaac (DET, 36th overall, 2018)
D Ian Mitchell (CHI, 57th overall, 2017)
D Ty Smith (NJD, 17th overall, 2018)
D Jett Woo (VAN, 37th overall, 2018)

F Justin Almeida (PIT, 129th overall, 2018)
F Jaret Anderson-Dolan (LAK, 41st overall, 2017)
F Jordy Bellerive (PIT, free agent)
F Shane Bowers (OTT, 28th overall, 2017 – traded to COL)
F Maxime Comtois (ANA, 50th overall, 2017)
F Ty Dellandrea (DAL, 13th overall, 2018)
F Connor Dewar (MIN, 92nd overall, 2018)
F MacKenzie Entwistle (ARI, 69th overall, 2017)
F Alex Formenton (OTT, 47th overall, 2017)
F Morgan Frost (PHI 27th overall, 2017)
F Cody Glass (VGK, 6th overall, 2017)
F Barrett Hayton (ARI, 5th overall, 2018)
F Stelio Mattheos (CAR, 73rd overall, 2017)
F Ryan McLeod (EDM, 40th overall, 2018)
F Antoine Morand (ANA, 60th overall, 2017)
F Michael Rasmussen (DET, 9th overall, 2017)
F Isaac Ratcliffe (PHI, 35th overall, 2017)
F Jack Studnicka (BOS, 53rd overall, 2017)
F Nick Suzuki (VGK, 13th overall, 2017)
F Joel Teasdale (undrafted)
F Robert Thomas (STL, 20th overall, 2017)
F Owen Tippett (FLA, 10th overall, 2017)
F Joe Veleno (DET, 30th overall, 2018)
F Gabe Vilardi (LAK, 11th overall, 2017)

Prospects In The OHL Playoffs: Vilardi, Pu, Brown

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The NHL playoffs aren’t the only teams vying for postseason supremacy. The OHL playoffs are finishing up the second round, with two teams close to moving on. Here’s a look at some of the prospects who may be on the NHL ice sooner rather than later. 

The Kingston Frontenacs were busy at the OHL trade deadline and added fire power in the way of Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), and Cliff Pu (Buffalo), who certainly delivered as expected through two rounds of the playoffs. Not only has Kingston secured a spot in the next round after dispatching Barrie in six games, Vilardi and Pu are first and fourth in points respectively, with teammate Linus Nyman tied at 16 points. Pu was impressive with London, so much so that Kingston went out and snagged him to guarantee scoring depth and a chance at its first Robertson Cup. Back in January, the Global News’ Doug Jeffries wrote about how Pu brought experience from the Knights’ Memorial Cup win in 2016. It surely has paid off for both the Frontenacs and Pu, who was a third round pick for the Sabres and whose value continues to rise.

Vilardi nursed an injury for the first half of the OHL season, but the former Windsor Spitfire played as strong as expected when on the ice, notching 58 points (22-36) in 32 games.  Vilardi has been just as dominant in the playoffs, leading the league in points (20) and goals (11). After signing an entry level deal back in March, barring injury there might be a strong case to be made for Vilardi suiting up in Los Angeles next season. The 11th overall pick of the 2017 NHL draft also won a Memorial Cup that same year.

One non-Frontenac making some noise is Kitchener’s Logan Brown (Ottawa), who was the 11th overall pick for the Sens back in 2016. Like Vilardi, Brown was also traded by Windsor in January and picked up where he left off, averaging over a point-per-game with his new club. The playoffs have seen Brown notch 19 points in 11 games as the Rangers currently hold a 3-2 advantage in the second round. Though only two of those 19 points have been goals, the Senators have to be pleased that Brown continues to produce. The Sens skated him in four games this past fall before sending him back to the Spitfires. Add in an impressive performance during the the World Juniors as well, Brown may find himself with the big club for a longer stay, especially since the team will most likely be retooling with youth in the 2018-19 season.

Kings Sign Gabriel Vilardi To An Entry-Level Contract

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The Kings have locked up their top pick from last June’s draft, announcing that they have signed center Gabriel Vilardi to a three-year, entry-level contract.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 18-year-old was the 11th overall selection in the draft but his 2017-18 season hasn’t exactly been one to remember.  He suffered a back injury while training during the summer which kept him out of the lineup in the early going this season.  He was assigned back to the OHL in November to continue his rehab but he didn’t actually see game action until January 5th after his junior rights were dealt from Windsor to Kingston.

Vilardi has certainly made up for lost time as he has gotten off to a flying start with 43 points (14-29-43) in just 23 games with the Frontenacs.  Unsurprisingly, he was a highly sought-after prospect at the trade deadline but the Kings had little intention of moving him.  Vilardi still has a year of junior eligibility remaining and won’t be able to play at the AHL level next year so he will have to return to the OHL if he is unable to land a roster spot with Los Angeles in October.

Snapshots: Pacioretty, McDonagh, Hynes

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In Elliotte Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts column on Sportsnet, the insider details all the rumors and whispers he heard on trade deadline day. Among them was a long piece on Max Pacioretty, and how the Montreal Canadiens never found a deal on him because of the high value Marc Bergevin put on his captain.

Among the contenders for Pacioretty’s services were Los Angeles, who were asked for Tyler Toffoli and Gabe Vilardi as part of a package, Minnesota, who Friedman believes were asked for Charlie Coyle, and Florida who had to decline when the Canadiens asked for Vincent Trocheck. It’s clear that Montreal is not interested in just futures, but players who can jump right into their lineup in 2018-19 to help turn the ship around.

  • Interestingly, Friedman also notes a possible discussion between Florida, Minnesota and New York that would have ended with Ryan McDonagh in Sunrise. While they weren’t involved in any of the day’s really big moves, you can be sure that the Panthers and Wild had their phones ringing on Monday.
  • Though it was originally believed that John Hynes’ contract was set to run out at the end of the season, Friedman reports that the New Jersey Devils actually have another option year with their head coach that he believes they will pick up. Hynes has helped turn the Devils into a legitimate playoff contender in the Metropolitan Division, less than a year after winning the draft lottery and selecting Nico Hischier first-overall.

Morning Notes: Vilardi, Montoya, Wisniewski

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The OHL trade of Los Angeles Kings’ prospect Gabe Vilardi is now official, and also includes New York Rangers draft pick Sean Day. The pair will head from the Windsor Spitfires to the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for 16-year old Cody Morgan and eight draft picks that stretch all the way to 2028. Windsor is tearing apart the program a year after hosting and winning the Memorial Cup, a common practice in the CHL.

Vilardi, the 11th-overall pick in 2017 has recently been cleared to return to game action after a back injury kept him out for the first half of the season. He’ll bring an intense offensive presence to the Frontenacs, while Day gives them a veteran defenseman with good two-way upside. Day was allowed into the OHL at just 15 years old, but hasn’t found quite the same heights as his fellow “exceptional talents” like John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad and Connor McDavid. The pair should make Kingston a tough team to face as the league heads towards the playoff push.

  • Al Montoya was back at Montreal Canadiens practice today for the first time since being ruled out with a concussion on November 9th. As Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports, the injury had occurred several days earlier, but symptoms developed slowly. The Canadiens currently employ Antti Niemi as their backup to Carey Price, but could potentially waive the netminder once again when Montoya is ready to return. Niemi has played for three teams already this season, and could find himself on the move again.
  • The official roster for Team USA at the Pyeongchang Olympics will be announced today during the Winter Classic in New York, but apparently former NHL defenseman James Wisniewski has made it. That’s according to former teammate R.J. Umberger and TSN’s Darren Dreger, who both tweeted congratulations to the 33-year old. Wisniewski spent last season split between the AHL and KHL after attempting a comeback, and skated in the DEL’s second tier this year in his attempt to make the Olympic squad. A former 51-point defenseman for Columbus, Wisniewski was once a deadly powerplay quarterback and could assume that role again in the February Games.

Snapshots: Brassard, Dahlen, Vilardi

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With the news that Ottawa is willing to listen on basically everyone except Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone, rumors have swirled around players like Derick Brassard for the last few days. One of the rumored destinations is Columbus, where Brassard played early in his career and who are in need of center help with both Brandon Dubinsky and Alexander Wennberg still out of the lineup. Brassard spoke to George Richards of the Columbus Post-Dispatch about the idea of going back to the Blue Jackets:

Let’s say it this way: I will play hockey anywhere. I have good memories but my job is to play hockey here. I’ll play anywhere. I wouldn’t refuse to go anywhere in the world or anywhere in the east. I have really good memories of playing in Columbus, we had a lot of fun.

Brassard played 309 games in Columbus to start his career, but really came into his own with the New York Rangers before heading to Ottawa. The center has one more year on his deal after this one, which carries a $5MM cap hit. He also has a partial no-trade clause, but it seems like that wouldn’t be a problem for the Senators if they decided to deal him.

  • The Vancouver Canucks went after prospect Jonathan Dahlen last trade deadline, and acquired him when they dealt Alex Burrows to the Ottawa Senators. Now other teams in Sweden are after him this year, as he continues his development. Rick Dhaliwal of NEWS 1130 reports that several teams are making a “big push” to bring Dahlen in, likely to give him a chance in the SHL. The 20-year old forward has scored 27 points in 23 games for Timra in the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second league) and looks ready to take the next step.
  • It’s trade season in the OHL, and Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider believes that top prospect Gabe Vilardi is about to be sent to the Kingston Frontenacs. Vilardi was part of the Memorial Cup-winning Windsor Spitfires team last season, but hasn’t yet made his season debut due to injury. With him close to a return, it seems like he’ll be joining the surging Frontenacs.

Gabe Vilardi To Be Sent Back To Junior

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The Los Angeles Kings will soon send back 11th-overall pick Gabe Vilardi to his junior team the Windsor Spitfires according to Bob McKenzie of TSN. Vilardi has been rehabbing from a back injury all season so far but is expected to rejoin the OHL team within the next few weeks. Technically the Kings haven’t actually signed Vilardi to an entry-level contract yet, meaning he couldn’t stay in the NHL anyway. But with rehab from his injury coming to a conclusion the Spitfires (and likely Team Canada’s World Junior team) will welcome him back with open arms.

Vilardi was a prospect with one of the more widespread scouting reports going into the draft. While some saw him as a dominant puck-possession player who could eventually handle the center position, others critiqued his skating ability and high-end creativity. Los Angeles will hope it’s closer to the latter when it’s all said and done, and an international appearance would be a solid step in that direction.

Team Canada as always is loaded with talent up front, and Vilardi would have to quickly prove he’s healthy if he wants to make the tournament that starts next month. Last season saw Vilardi register 61 points in 49 games for the Spitfires and help the team to a Memorial Cup Championship on home ice.

Pacific Notes: DeMelo, Kings Injuries, Bieksa

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Sharks defenseman Dylan DeMelo came into the season with the expectation that he’d get some more playing time after the team lost David Schlemko in the Expansion Draft.  However, that hasn’t been the case as he has played in just two games so far this season and is set to be a healthy scratch for the tenth straight game tonight having been surpassed on the depth chart by call-ups Tim Heed and Joakim Ryan.

Despite the lack of playing time, DeMelo told Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News that he still wants to remain with the Sharks: “I want to be here, plain and simple. I want to be here. I know the team, I know the guys here. I’ve worked hard since I was 18 to gain equity in this organization. For me, it’s not even in my mind to go anywhere else. This is where I want to be and I really want to make it work here.”

This is the second straight season where DeMelo has basically been the Sharks’ full-time seventh defender which has largely been dictated by being eligible for waivers.  With Paul Martin getting closer to returning to action, the 24-year-old may soon find playing time even harder to come by.

Elsewhere in the Pacific:

  • Kings head coach John Stevens told Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider that wingers Marian Gaborik and Kyle Clifford are progressing well from their injuries. The team is hopeful that Gaborik will be able to start participating in full practices in the next little while.  However, Clifford, despite being listed as week-to-week with his upper-body issue, is still not close to returning to the lineup.  Still with the Kings, first-round pick Gabriel Vilardi skated in full gear for the first time today since sustaining a back injury over the summer, notes Helene Elliott of the LA Times (Twitter link).
  • Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa could be available to return to the lineup as soon as Friday, head coach Randy Carlyle noted to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. The veteran rearguard is set to miss his fourth straight game due to a hand injury against Toronto.  Anaheim has been dealing with injuries on the back end all season; they’ve been without at least two of their regular defenders in every game so far.

Minor Moves: Erixon, Strachan, Robidas

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The New Jersey Devils have signed Tim Erixon to a professional tryout, bringing in the former NHL defenseman after two years spent entirely in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Erixon is a former first-round pick of the Calgary Flames who has bounced around the NHL during his short career. Suiting up for 93 games split between the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks, Erixon will try to prove that he deserves a permanent home. He’ll join Jimmy Hayes in Devils camp on a PTO.

More news from around the league…

  • The Arizona Coyotes have added journeyman Tyson Strachan on a PTO of their own, bringing him in after a year with the Rochester Americans. The 32-year old Strachan has 186 NHL contests under his belt, but has never had much of an impact in the league.
  • Toronto has officially hired Stephane Robidas as their Assistant Director of Player Development, where he’ll continue many of the duties he took on last year as an unofficial development coach. Robidas was technically still under a player contract last year, but effectively retired due to injury after the 2014-15 season. In 937 career NHL games, he recorded 258 points, but was a bust for the Maple Leafs, who signed him for three years but only saw him suit up in 52 games.
  • Gabe Vilardi, the Los Angeles Kings’ first-round pick this year, will miss training camp with the team due to a back injury that flared up this offseason. Vilardi had an outside chance at cracking the Kings’ roster right away if he exceeded expectations at camp, but this likely confirms he’ll head back to the Windsor Spitfires for next year. Should he get through the year healthy he’s a near-lock for Canada’s World Junior team and could challenge for the OHL’s goal scoring title.

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