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

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.

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.