Gabriel Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract ($7.5 million average annual value) with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, avoiding an arbitration hearing.
The 25-year-old forward had NHL career highs in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61) in 71 games for the Jets last season and four points (one goal, three assists) in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"I've been here two years now and I love it in Winnipeg," Vilardi said Monday. "I think the opportunity for us to win in our window here of four or five years is something I'm very excited about and I want to be a part of. And I love Winnipeg. It's a great spot. It feels like home to me. The fans, the team, the organization, everybody has been welcoming to me in Winnipeg since I've been there and it's been great. So it made it a pretty easy decision for me."
Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round (No. 11) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Vilardi has 175 points (90 goals, 85 assists) in 270 regular-season games for the Jets and Kings, and 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 21 playoff games. He was traded to the Jets as part of the deal for Pierre-Luc Dubois on June 27, 2023.
"I believe in our group," Vilardi said. "I think this past year we obviously showed what we're capable of in the regular season. And obviously the playoffs didn’t end up our way, but I think we competed there and I think just the opportunity of this window we have where I truly believe we have a great opportunity to win and I want to be a part of that and I think we can accomplish that.”
Vilardi said he's happy center Jonathan Toews will be part of their quest to win this season. The Jets annoucned June 20 that the three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg native would sign a one-year contract July 1 after two seasons away from the game.
"I grew up watching Jon and I think him bringing that experience, he has won three Cups and he knows what it takes, I think it is good for us in the locker room and on the ice," Vilardi said. "I am super excited to meet him. I sent him a text when he signed and I told him how excited the team is to have him. For him missing that time, obviously he is going to have a tough situation coming back and obviously getting back into the groove of things and, hopefully, myself and the guys, we can help him feel comfortable and help his get back going as quick as he can."
NHL.com independent correspondent Darrin Bauming contributed to this report
