Jets sign forward Vilardi to six-year contract extension

The last time Gabe Vilardi was asked about his long-term future, the Winnipeg Jets forward wasn’t ready to make any bold proclamations — or even drop any not-so-obvious hints or bread crumbs.

There was no doubt that Vilardi was happy with his usage or role, averaging just over 18 minutes of ice time per game.

But was Vilardi interested in the security of a long-term deal or was he more interested in getting to unrestricted free agency as quickly as possible?

That was unclear going into the off-season, mostly because Vilardi said after his exit interview that he hadn’t really given it any thought yet.

It was a reasonable and rational response, when you consider that the Jets had just been eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Dallas Stars a few days earlier.

On Friday, his actions spoke louder than any words he could have uttered at the time.

By signing a six-year extension that carries an average annual value of US$7.5 million, Vilardi became the latest member to dedicate his prime years to the Jets’ organization.

The 25-year-old is coming off his most productive season of his six in the NHL so far, posting career-highs with 27 goals and 61 points in 71 games (which was also a career-high).

Since he was acquired in the blockbuster deal for Pierre-Luc Dubois in June 2023, Vilardi has been a fixture on the Jets’ top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor and is an integral part of a power play that was atop the NHL last season.

With soft hands and an ability to make things happen down low, Vilardi is a great facilitator — especially on the man-advantage — and he’s got a nose for the net, delivering three consecutive seasons of 20 goals or more (27, 22 in 47 games with the Jets in 2023-24 and 23 in 63 games with the Kings in 2022-23.

Vilardi was on track to eclipse 30 goals comfortably, but suffered an upper-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres in March.

After returning late in the first round against the St. Louis Blues, Vilardi had a goal and four points in nine playoff games.

Vilardi is expected to speak with reporters about the new contract early next week.

This is the type of deal that makes sense for both sides.

With the new deal, Vilardi gets the security of six years and a significant raise from the US$3.44 million AAV he had during the previous two seasons with the Jets.

For the Jets, they’ve locked up a top-line player and get cost-certainty with a player they value as the salary cap is set to rise dramatically during the next several years.

Vilardi was one of three Jets to file for arbitration and two of those cases (including Morgan Barron’s) have already been settled, the lone restricted free agent remaining is defenceman Dylan Samberg.

According to Puck Pedia, the Jets have just under US$10 million of salary cap space available to them, with 22 of 23 projected roster spots spoken for.

That number includes forward David Gustafsson, but not defenceman Ville Heinola — who looks like the odd-player out at this stage of the proceedings.

A long-term extension for Samberg has been projected to be in the range of US$5.25 million to $6.25 million range by various outlets – so the Jets can comfortably fit him under and have some room to maneuver leading up to the NHL trade deadline should they be looking to upgrade the roster.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has already taken care of plenty of off-season work, taking care of five of his six restricted free agents – including right-winger Parker Ford, who agreed to a two-year, two-way deal on Friday afternoon.

Ford’s AAV is $812,500 and he will receive $775,000 in the NHL in the first season, with an American Hockey League salary of $125,000 and a guarantee of $150,000. In the second season, Ford will earn $850,000 in the NHL, with an AHL deal of $250,000 and a guarantee of $300,000.

Ford made his NHL debut for the Jets last season against the Boston Bruins and suited up in three games, scoring against the Bruins, the team he grew up cheering for in Rhode Island.

The feisty forward also had 14 goals and 21 points in 41 AHL games before suffering an injury late in the season.

Getting a new deal for Samberg, who grew into one of the most important blue-liners on the roster last season as he flourished in a second-pairing role, remains a top priority for the Jets.

The to-do list also includes extensions for captain Adam Lowry and Connor, both of whom could become unrestricted free agents on July 1 of 2026 and became eligible for an extension earlier this month.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld