Breaking NHL Signing: Gabe Vilardi & Jets Avoid Arbitration With Long-Term Deal

A huge signing today by the Winnipeg Jets, as they've re-upped with restricted free agent top-line forward Gabe Vilardi on a big six-year extension.

THE VILARDI PARTY CONTINUES FOR SIX MORE YEARS 🎉 pic.twitter.com/YrELFRf2uk
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) July 18, 2025

It's a six-year, $45 million extension for Vilardi, with a $7.5M AAV. That's a cap hit that will be a great value for Winnipeg as the cap continues to rise in the coming years.

The Jets still have $10.5 million in cap space available, but have another key RFA to sign in top-four d-man Dylan Samberg.

Vilardi, 25, is coming off his best season, with 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points in 71 games with a plus/minus rating of +9.

The 6'3" forward was a first-round pick (11th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. He was the key player coming back to the Jets in the big Pierre-Luc Dubois trade two years back.

In his first season in Winnipeg, Vilardi had injury troubles, but still managed 22 goals in 47 games. This season, he solidified himself as a top-line and power-play threat. This guy has a nose for the net, registering a shot percentage of over 20% this past year (tied for 10th in the NHL), and over 18% the previous two seasons.