WINNIPEG — Gabriel Vilardi was on the verge of completing his first season without injury setbacks.
Past seasons were marred by chronic back issues and an MCL sprain, limiting his playtime. This year, Vilardi aimed for a full 82-game season.
However, he`s now sidelined week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Coach Scott Arniel expressed his disappointment, highlighting Vilardi`s dedicated off-season training to prevent injuries and play a full season.
Arniel mentioned the injury wasn`t related to the puck Vilardi took to the ear in the previous game but described it as an unusual situation.
Vilardi did have an awkward fall in his last shift against Buffalo.
The indefinite timeline of his return is concerning as the playoffs approach.
Losing Vilardi is a major setback for the Jets. He has achieved career highs this season, becoming a key scorer, especially near the net and on the power play.
His impact goes beyond scoring, significantly influencing the performance of Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.
Vilardi`s presence has been crucial to the top line`s effectiveness. He provides size, puck protection, and offensive zone control, complementing Scheifele and Connor`s skills.
An NHL assistant coach described Vilardi as a “modern day power forward” and a perfect fit for the top line.
5-on-5 Performance Impact
| Lines | TOI | CF% | xGF% | SCF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor-Schiefele-Vilardi | 906.3 | 48.8 | 51.8 | 51.2 |
| Connor-Schiefele without Vilardi | 113.1 | 41.2 | 48.1 | 37.9 |
Vilardi`s puck skills in tight spaces are vital for Scheifele and Connor`s scoring opportunities.
Alex Iafallo is stepping in to replace Vilardi on the top line. Arniel values Iafallo`s strong forechecking and net-front presence. Iafallo previously played with Scheifele and Connor.
However, Vilardi`s playmaking ability is a step above Iafallo`s, and Iafallo will be playing on his off-wing, potentially affecting passing.
The Jets lack another right-shot playmaking winger to easily fill Vilardi`s role. Mason Appleton, the other right-shot winger, has limited recent offensive output.
Nino Niederreiter is another option, but he doesn`t offer the same wall play or passing strengths as Vilardi or Iafallo.
Power Play Implications
Vilardi`s playmaking and scoring near the net have been key to the Jets` potent power play, drawing defensive attention away from Scheifele and Connor.
Opponents have recently focused more on Vilardi, coinciding with a slight decrease in the Jets` power play efficiency. Their power play conversion rate has dropped in the last 20 games compared to the first 51.
Vilardi`s shot volume has also decreased recently.
Gabriel Vilardi Power Play Stats Per 60 Minutes
| Time period | GP | iHDCF/60 | ICF/60 | iSCF/60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before Jan. 28 | 51 | 11.82 | 18.39 | 16.64 |
| After Jan. 28 | 20 | 10.18 | 15.73 | 13.88 |
Iafallo will take Vilardi`s spot on the top power-play unit, but the long-term impact remains to be seen.
Tristan Blackwood