Jets’ Vilardi sidelined with upper-body injury

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This article was published 24/03/2025 (542 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets will be without the services of top-line winger Gabriel Vilardi for the foreseeable future.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel officially listed Vilardi as week-to-week with an upper-body injury, noting that he sustained the injury in Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Arniel didn’t specify when the injury occurred, though he said it had nothing to do with the puck to the ear he took from Sabres defenceman Bowen Byram in the first period.

Vilardi is having an outstanding season for the Jets, producing career-highs of 27 goals, 34 assists and 61 points through 71 games.

Not only is Vilardi a key cog on the Jets’ top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, he’s a critical component of the league’s top-ranked power play.

Arniel said that versatile winger Alex Iafallo will jump up to replace Vilardi at even strength and with the man advantage on Tuesday when the Jets face the Washington Capitals in a battle between the top two teams in the chase for the Presidents’ Trophy.