The Winnipeg Jets have officially locked up one of their key offensive weapons, signing Gabriel Vilardi to a six-year, $45 million contract, avoiding a potentially messy arbitration hearing. The deal, which carries a $7.5 million average annual value, is a significant investment in the 25-year-old forward and a clear signal that the Jets see him as a cornerstone of their future. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: Did they overpay?
From where I’m sitting, this is a calculated risk by the Jets’ front office. On one hand, Vilardi is coming off a career year, posting personal bests in goals (27), assists (34), and points (61). He’s a big-bodied center who has shown flashes of brilliance and has the potential to be a consistent top-six producer. On the other hand, this is a massive raise from his previous $3.44 million cap hit, and it’s based on a relatively small sample size of elite production.
What Vilardi’s New Deal Means for the Jets
This signing has immediate and long-term implications for the Jets. In the short term, it solidifies their center depth and gives them a formidable one-two punch down the middle. However, it also tightens their salary cap situation, which could force them to make some tough decisions on other players in the near future.
This contract will be a benchmark for other RFAs and could set the market for similar players. It’s a high-stakes gamble, but if Vilardi continues to build on his breakout season, it could look like a stroke of genius in a few years. If he regresses, it could become an albatross that haunts the Jets for years to come.
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The post Gabriel Vilardi News: Did the Jets Overpay on His New $45 Million Contract? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
