Avalanche Draft Profile: Gabriel Vilardi

Get to Know Gabriel Vilardi

Date of Birth: 8/16/1999
Place of Birth: Kingston, ON, CAN
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 192 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Center/Wing
Team (League): Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects:

A dangerous two-way center that stays poised, calm, and composed in all situations. Skates well for his size and has no issues getting into position. Individual puck skills are at an elite level and he is able to play a finesse role. Makes excellent decisions with the puck and showcases a well-rounded understanding of both the offensive and defensive game. Uses his size to his advantage and keeps the opposition guessing because he is able to do so many different things, including: taking it himself to the net and powering through, making a seeing-eye pass, or holding off to piggyback a possession play. He already plays a mature yet dynamic game, and that indicates success for a long time at higher levels. All-in-all, a dexterous 200-foot player that is a consistent threat every time he is on the ice.

A dynamic and often brilliant offensive attacker…has skilled hands and outstanding awareness…looks to set up his linemates with timely passes, but can also finish off the play when the opportunity is there…has nice size and uses it to protect the puck…has a quick jump and agility on his feet, but is not really a speed demon screaming up the ice…plays aggressively both when his team does and does not have the puck; often hunting it down and stripping it from his opponent.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Vilardi isn’t the sexiest prospect in the top ten but he’s the most complete and that definitely counts for something. He’s extremely intelligent with and without the puck as he has that classic “slows the game down” feel and makes his teammates better. He’s a physical force and an ultra try-hard on the defensive end as he is committed to making a difference in all 200-feet.

His only real question mark is his skating, which steadily improved throughout the season. There’s not much to dislike in Vilardi’s game unless you’re looking for the flashy play. Vilardi is a meat and potatoes guy who uses his supreme talent to simply get the job done.

Highlights

NHL Potential

This one is a little trickier. Is he a better wing or center? He’s played a lot of both in his juniors career and while he has excelled, that answer probably depends most on the franchise that selects him in the draft and where he best fits. That versatility is going to be great for the organization he lands in and he’s destined for a solid top-six role. How far he goes from there might depend on the competition he faces.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Vilardi is arguably the best fit of the forwards being considered in the top six or so selections if Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier are off the board. His ability to play wing or center gives him the edge over both Cody Glass and Casey Mittelstadt. His well-developed all-around game gives him the advantage over Owen Tippett. He’d be an easy slam dunk if he was a defenseman but this is the Avalanche here so no such luck.