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Jets sign forward Vilardi to six-year extension worth US$45 million

Jets sign forward Vilardi to six-year extension worth US$45 million | iNFOnews.ca
Winnipeg Jets centre Gabriel Vilardi (13) blocks a shot by Dallas Stars' Evgenii Dadonov (63) in the first period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets locked up forward Gabriel Vilardi on Friday, signing the forward to a six-year contract extension worth US$45 million.

The extension comes after Vilardi, who became a restricted free agent on July 1 after completing a two-year, $6.88 million contract, posted career highs in 2024-25 with 27 goals, 34 assists, 61 points and 71 games played.

The 25-year-old from Kingston, Ont., added a goal and three assists in nine playoff games after missing the last 11 games of the regular season and first four of the post-season with an upper-body injury.

Vilardi also set new single-season bests in power-play goals (12), power-play points (25) and ice time per game (18:08) and matched his six game-winning goals from 2022-23.

Vilardi, originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round (11th overall) at the 2017 NHL draft, has 175 points (90 goals 85 assists) in 270 career regular-season games and 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 21 playoff contests for the Kings and Jets.

Jets sign forward Vilardi to six-year extension worth US$45 million | iNFOnews.ca
Winnipeg Jets’ Gabriel Vilardi (13) scores on Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) during first period NHL playoff action in Winnipeg, Friday May 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

The Jets acquired Vilardi on June 27, 2023, in a trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Kings.

Internationally, Vilardi won gold with Canada at the 2021 world championships after recording one assist and six penalty minutes in 10 games.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.

Jets sign forward Vilardi to six-year extension worth US$45 million | iNFOnews.ca
Winnipeg Jets’ Gabriel Vilardi (13) and Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard (2) battle in front as goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save during first period NHL action in Edmonton on Thursday, March 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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