Ben Shelley: Kings re-sign Blake Lizotte

I'll take Lizotte if you don't want him.

Gotta question for kings fans. I’m not going to get into a debate wether LA should trade for eichel or what the cost would be but in many armchair proposals I see they have Turcotte and vilardi heading the other way to which a Kings fan usually replies “it’s turcotte OR vilardi, not both”.

So my question is while I get it with turcotte I ask what is the hype around vilardi and is this the way the majority of the fan base feels? I’ll admit I haven’t watched more than a few Kings games this year but to me these players are in two different tiers, turcotte with 1st line potential, vilardi with 2nd line potential. Vilardi’s value to me would be closer to what comtois/chytil’s are than zegras/kakko in these same conversations. Maybe he’s a really good shutdown center I really don’t know so feel free to fire away and fill me in

Gotta question for kings fans. I’m not going to get into a debate wether LA should trade for eichel or what the cost would be but in many armchair proposals I see they have Turcotte and vilardi heading the other way to which a Kings fan usually replies “it’s turcotte OR vilardi, not both”.

So my question is while I get it with turcotte I ask what is the hype around vilardi and is this the way the majority of the fan base feels? I’ll admit I haven’t watched more than a few Kings games this year but to me these players are in two different tiers, turcotte with 1st line potential, vilardi with 2nd line potential. Vilardi’s value to me would be closer to what comtois/chytil’s are than zegras/kakko in these same conversations. Maybe he’s a really good shutdown center I really don’t know so feel free to fire away and fill me in
- RedC21

As a kings fan I personally dont want to see us trade for eichel at all,dont get me wrong he is an impact player without a doubt and in the same breath he may also be damaged goods.i believe what we have in turcotte and byfield will be our future 1,2 pp and pk centers for the next decade.both real good two way players and able to generate offensive numbers with almost any wingers.this is obviously projecting these players,but in my opinion,I believe that's what we have with those 2.

So my question is while I get it with turcotte I ask what is the hype around vilardi and is this the way the majority of the fan base feels? I’ll admit I haven’t watched more than a few Kings games this year but to me these players are in two different tiers, turcotte with 1st line potential, vilardi with 2nd line potential. Vilardi’s value to me would be closer to what comtois/chytil’s are than zegras/kakko in these same conversations. Maybe he’s a really good shutdown center I really don’t know so feel free to fire away and fill me in
- RedC21

Vilardi is 6'3" (same as Kopitar), whereas Turcotte is only 5'11. I'm not saying that you should, but if you just go on size alone, Vilardi looks more like a 1C and Turcotte a 2C. Vilardi also scored 25 points in 32 games as a 20-year-old rookie in the AHL, whereas Turcotte scored 21 in 32 as the same. Finally, Vilardi has already proven that he can be an NHL player. Turcotte hasn't. Combined with the tantalizing size, that's probably largely why fans are high on Vilardi, even as high as they are on Turcotte. Also, with Byfield expected to be the future 1C and Kopitar eventually becoming the 3C, there's a spot for a 2C, and it seems like either Vilardi or Turcotte would be a good fit there, so that's another reason why you see fans offering one in a trade, but not both.

Vilardi is 6'3" (same as Kopitar), whereas Turcotte is only 5'11. I'm not saying that you should, but if you just go on size alone, Vilardi looks more like a 1C and Turcotte a 2C. Vilardi also scored 25 points in 32 games as a 20-year-old rookie in the AHL, whereas Turcotte scored 21 in 32 as the same. Finally, Vilardi has already proven that he can be an NHL player. Turcotte hasn't. Combined with the tantalizing size, that's probably largely why fans are high on Vilardi, even as high as they are on Turcotte. Also, with Byfield expected to be the future 1C and Kopitar eventually becoming the 3C, there's a spot for a 2C, and it seems like either Vilardi or Turcotte would be a good fit there, so that's another reason why you see fans offering one in a trade, but not both.
- Osprey

Even if you guys gave up Turcotte and Vilardi you still have 4 or 5 Centers coming through your system, plus Eichel Byfield Kopitar at C for atleast 3 yrs. You guys are dealing from a position of strength in your system.

Vilardi is 6'3" (same as Kopitar), whereas Turcotte is only 5'11. I'm not saying that you should, but if you just go on size alone, Vilardi looks more like a 1C and Turcotte a 2C. Vilardi also scored 25 points in 32 games as a 20-year-old rookie in the AHL, whereas Turcotte scored 21 in 32 as the same. Finally, Vilardi has already proven that he can be an NHL player. Turcotte hasn't. Combined with the tantalizing size, that's probably largely why fans are high on Vilardi, even as high as they are on Turcotte. Also, with Byfield expected to be the future 1C and Kopitar eventually becoming the 3C, there's a spot for a 2C, and it seems like either Vilardi or Turcotte would be a good fit there, so that's another reason why you see fans offering one in a trade, but not both.
- Osprey

Thanks for the response. You do bring up some pretty valid points, while I knew they’ve had similar point totals I admit I was giving the edge to turcotte with his draft pedigree (especially considering I had him going 3rd to Chicago). I know that’s a bad way to evaluate talent but that doesn’t change my opinion that I don’t think Vilardi has 1C potential. If anything it lowers turcotte’s value in my mind, but that’s just my own opinion and I could very well be wrong 5 years from now.

As far as not having both of turcotte and vilardi in a deal I think getting eichel back fills that void.

Just to clarify I am on the side of LA should not make the deal, just my own curiosity into how you value your players

Thanks for the response. You do bring up some pretty valid points, while I knew they’ve had similar point totals I admit I was giving the edge to turcotte with his draft pedigree (especially considering I had him going 3rd to Chicago). I know that’s a bad way to evaluate talent but that doesn’t change my opinion that I don’t think Vilardi has 1C potential. If anything it lowers turcotte’s value in my mind, but that’s just my own opinion and I could very well be wrong 5 years from now.
- RedC21

Vilardi was widely regarded as a potential top-5 pick and fell to 11th because of injury concern, I believe, so his draft pedigree isn't all that different than Turcotte's.

As far as not having both of turcotte and vilardi in a deal I think getting eichel back fills that void.
- RedC21

That's true. Still, 5 years from now, Eichel will be a UFA and Kopitar will be close to retirement, leaving them with only Byfield down the middle. It'll be nice to have a 26yo Vilardi or 25yo Turcotte at that point. It just doesn't seem prudent or necessary to give up both when it should be possible to work something else out (like one of them, a 1st and a pretty good other prospect or roster player).

Vilardi was widely regarded as a potential top-5 pick and fell to 11th because of injury concern, I believe, so his draft pedigree isn't all that different than Turcotte's.

That's true. Still, 5 years from now, Eichel will be a UFA and Kopitar will be close to retirement, leaving them with only Byfield down the middle. It'll be nice to have a 26yo Vilardi or 25yo Turcotte at that point. It just doesn't seem prudent or necessary to give up both when it should be possible to work something else out (like one of them, a 1st and a pretty good other prospect or roster player).
- Osprey

I don’t remember vilardi slipping but I do recall some injury concerns around the time of the draft and the year or two that followed. I had thought that would have affected his development somewhat and not saying he didn’t have a good year but a soon to be 22 year old coming off less than .5 points per game doesn’t exactly scream center piece of a trade for an elite 1C like eichel.


Like I said I don’t think LA should make the trade for basically why you just explained. If the kings want longevity I would say stay the path or if you’re going to trade prospects/picks I would target a young LD such as werenski if he’s available

Vilardi was widely regarded as a potential top-5 pick and fell to 11th because of injury concern, I believe, so his draft pedigree isn't all that different than Turcotte's.
- Osprey

Vilardi fell to 11 because of concerns over his skating ability, not due to injury concerns. At the the of the draft, there were no reported injury issues. His back problem did not manifest until the following season.

I don’t remember vilardi slipping but I do recall some injury concerns around the time of the draft and the year or two that followed. I had thought that would have affected his development somewhat and not saying he didn’t have a good year but a soon to be 22 year old coming off less than .5 points per game doesn’t exactly scream center piece of a trade for an elite 1C like eichel.
- RedC21

Vilardi was ranked #3 in the 2017 NHL draft by ISS. He was ranked #4 in The Hockey Writers consensus ratings. He was a steal at #11.

2017 NHL Draft Final Consensus Rankings

Vilardi had a disappointing season, to be sure, but he had flashes of brilliance throughout his NHL career thus far. His ceiling is higher than Turcotte's, but he is less likely to reach his full potential. Turcotte is most likely a 2C, but his coaches all say that he is all but guaranteed to reach his ceiling. His consistency is top notch and he never takes a game off.

If you had to choose one of the players in the hopes that they'll turn into your franchise 1C, then Vilardi's the way to go. If you want a player guaranteed to make it into your top six, then Turcotte's your man.

Vilardi fell to 11 because of concerns over his skating ability, not due to injury concerns. At the the of the draft, there were no reported injury issues. His back problem did not manifest until the following season.


Vilardi was ranked #3 in the 2017 NHL draft by ISS. He was ranked #4 in The Hockey Writers consensus ratings. He was a steal at #11.

2017 NHL Draft Final Consensus Rankings

Vilardi had a disappointing season, to be sure, but he had flashes of brilliance throughout his NHL career thus far. His ceiling is higher than Turcotte's, but he is less likely to reach his full potential. Turcotte is most likely a 2C, but his coaches all say that he is all but guaranteed to reach his ceiling. His consistency is top notch and he never takes a game off.

If you had to choose one of the players in the hopes that they'll turn into your franchise 1C, then Vilardi's the way to go. If you want a player guaranteed to make it into your top six, then Turcotte's your man.
- tkecanuck341

Must have been my own bias then because I think I had Vilardi more in the 6-10 range which at 11 is still a great pick.

Either way if your description holds true for any team acquiring either player it comes down to risk/reward vs safe bet, not a decision I would want to be in if I was sending eichel the other way. It also tells me that more likely will Vilardi become a very good 2C which is good enough for me to draw the conclusion from this debate that perhaps Kings fans haven’t overhyped Vilardi and that I probably overhyped turcotte

Must have been my own bias then because I think I had Vilardi more in the 6-10 range which at 11 is still a great pick.

Either way if your description holds true for any team acquiring either player it comes down to risk/reward vs safe bet, not a decision I would want to be in if I was sending eichel the other way. It also tells me that more likely will Vilardi become a very good 2C which is good enough for me to draw the conclusion from this debate that perhaps Kings fans haven’t overhyped Vilardi and that I probably overhyped turcotte
- RedC21

Vilardi has had some injury issues that have slowed his progression for sure,and is still only 21.his nhl game still hasnt hit its peak yet either.he can easily mature into a really good 2c,but I believe if he doesnt find his footing there next season,he will be outworked for that spot by turcotte or byfield.kopitar is still a very good 1c for a few yrs yet,which really gives us the luxury to bring those 3 along to see who takes what spot,and the one that doesnt perform best as a 1,2,3c will get the bump to the top 6 wing slot or dealt for some left defense help.
So as I stated before,I really hope we dont trade for eichel at all.

Vilardi fell to 11 because of concerns over his skating ability, not due to injury concerns. At the the of the draft, there were no reported injury issues. His back problem did not manifest until the following season.
- tkecanuck341

I was referring to the knee injury that caused him to miss 19 games in his draft season. Besides scouts seeing a little less of him, knee injuries are no joke and that combined with the existing skating concerns that you mentioned could be why half a dozen teams passed on him.

Vilardi had a disappointing season, to be sure, but he had flashes of brilliance throughout his NHL career thus far. His ceiling is higher than Turcotte's, but he is less likely to reach his full potential. Turcotte is most likely a 2C, but his coaches all say that he is all but guaranteed to reach his ceiling. His consistency is top notch and he never takes a game off.
- tkecanuck341

That's about what I was trying to say earlier. Vilardi has the size and offensive potential to possibly become a 1C, but could stall and maybe end up as a 3C who occasionally moves up or is a 2C on a bad team, like Kempe. Turcotte seems more likely to be a 2C than anything else, at least through his prime.

That's about what I was trying to say earlier. Vilardi has the size and offensive potential to possibly become a 1C, but could stall and maybe end up as a 3C who occasionally moves up or is a 2C on a bad team, like Kempe. Turcotte seems more likely to be a 2C than anything else, at least through his prime.


I think this is what's likely to happen,kopi remains 1c for the next couple yrs then it will be up to vilardi,byfield,turcotte to determine who gets the 2c and 3c spots.which is a pretty nice situation for us.i love when there is internal competition for ice time.

Lizotte can keep Lemieux company In the press box.