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Since being selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2017, Gabriel Vilardi hasn't necessarily developed as well as expected with the organization.
He’s suffered injury trouble and has struggled to make a major impact in the NHL. This season, he was sent back down to the AHL for most of the season and in limited NHL action, he managed five goals and seven points in 25 games.
Now with the the Kings continuing to bring players into the lineup, along with an established core group as well, there isn’t as much room for Vilardi as there was a couple years ago.
His potential comes on the wing rather than down the middle, which gives him less responsibility – with Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault, Quinton Byfield and Blake Lizotte as the team’s four centers anyways. However, we also already know Viktor Arvidsson, Adrian Kempe, Alex Iafallo, Trevor Moore and Arthur Kaliyev will take five of the eight spots on the wing. Brendan Lemieux was a good fit in the bottom-six and should have a spot again as well, while Carl Grundstrom and Rasmus Kupari will look to stay with the Kings and Lias Andersson will still be in the mix up front too.
That’s also not to mention the possibility of Andreas Athanasiou returning or a different free agent forward being signed. Then factor in other prospects like Alex Turcotte, Samuel Fagemo, and Jaret Anderson-Dolan looking to make the jump and Vilardi’s path to stay in the NHL doesn’t seem so clear.
Now with this said, Vilardi did put together a strong year in the AHL this season, scoring 15 goals and 38 points in 39 games. He had also been a full-time member of the Kings’ lineup in the 2020-21 season, scoring 10 goals and 23 points in 54 games, a pace of 15 goals and 35 points per 82 games.
Given Vilardi is still just 23 years old and has shown upside in the AHL, along with some NHL production, he could still have a long-term future with the Kings. How high in the lineup he could actually play is up for debate but developing into a middle-six winger could still be in the cards.
There’s also the possibility that he could be used as a trade chip, however, his value is low right now and at this point the Kings would probably benefit more from holding onto him and hoping he can make an impact in the NHL.
Vilardi will be a restricted free agent and it seems likely that he’s just re-signed to a one-year deal at less than $1 million. He could certainly earn a roster spot but actually earning a full-time spot in the lineup might be more of a challenge.
It’ll be an important year for Vilardi to determine whether he'll still be able to make an impact with the organization. If he rounds out his game and is able to find success on the wing, he could solidify his spot going forward. If he still isn't able to earn a full-time role this season though, it seems very likely he won't have a spot with the Kings long-term.
QuizMaker
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Kings are likely to trade away a defenseman this offseason
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Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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