Bobby Kittleberger: The Case for Gabe Vilardi Gabe Vilardi could get his nine-game look with the LA Kings this year, though I think he should get a lot more.

Iafallo sounds stinky...how about Iafallo for Dale Weise?

I would like to see Vilardi/Kempe/Iaffalo as the third line to start the season.

Iafallo sounds stinky...how about Iafallo for Dale Weise?
- Glak18

Iafallo has a much better contract, Weise is a dump.

You're wrong on Iafallo. It's cliche but he did all the little things on line 1; without him, neither 11 or 23 produce the same. You can make the argument that you need more stat sheet production on line 1 than Iafallo had (although considering his two linemates had career years something about the mix must have been clicking), but depth scoring was the problem, not line 1. Also, he didn't really get the PP time that helps bump production numbers significantly. He was 7th among forwards in EV goals and 6th in EV assists.
Since Kovalchuk, probably rightly, is an automatic on line 1, I'm hoping to see:
Kovy-11-23
70-77-73
19-9-Vilardi
13-44/52-22
to start the year.

I think that the ideal position for him is to the left of Carter on the 2nd line. As a natural centerman in Carter's mold (and, hopefully, the team's future #2 center), he'd be able to learn from Jeff by playing with him. Of course, he would need to prove that he can handle it in training camp and his 9-game trial. If it's too early and he's not ready, which is more realistic, Pearson gets his regular spot back. If not, then Pearson spends time flanking Lewis on the 3rd line until an injury occurs or, maybe, he's traded.

You're wrong on Iafallo. It's cliche but he did all the little things on line 1; without him, neither 11 or 23 produce the same.
- CrownedKing

It's not wrong to expect more production from players playing on the top line. You can do "all the little things" and also produce. Trevor Lewis does all of the little things, too, but doesn't belong on the top line.

You're wrong on Iafallo. It's cliche but he did all the little things on line 1; without him, neither 11 or 23 produce the same. You can make the argument that you need more stat sheet production on line 1 than Iafallo had (although considering his two linemates had career years something about the mix must have been clicking), but depth scoring was the problem, not line 1. Also, he didn't really get the PP time that helps bump production numbers significantly. He was 7th among forwards in EV goals and 6th in EV assists.
Since Kovalchuk, probably rightly, is an automatic on line 1, I'm hoping to see:
Kovy-11-23
70-77-73
19-9-Vilardi
13-44/52-22
to start the year.
- CrownedKing

Was thinking the exact lines, also like what Osprey said though about Vilardi playing with Carter. Maybe interchange Vilardi and Pearson a couple times a game.

You're wrong on Iafallo. It's cliche but he did all the little things on line 1; without him, neither 11 or 23 produce the same. You can make the argument that you need more stat sheet production on line 1 than Iafallo had (although considering his two linemates had career years something about the mix must have been clicking), but depth scoring was the problem, not line 1. Also, he didn't really get the PP time that helps bump production numbers significantly. He was 7th among forwards in EV goals and 6th in EV assists.
Since Kovalchuk, probably rightly, is an automatic on line 1, I'm hoping to see:
Kovy-11-23
70-77-73
19-9-Vilardi
13-44/52-22
to start the year.
- CrownedKing

I'm not really even saying that he should have had more production because of being on line 1 or that line 1 was "problem" at all. What seems weird to me is that he didn't simply draw higher point totals or get more involved in the offense with so many points going up around him.

He wasn't a factor one way or the other and he should have benefitted. Good players can take advantage of those opportunities.

Disagree, Iafallo is a puck getter and a good skater. He will be fine in a season or 2.

AI got the best chance of any young King in a long time and he did ok with it (a poor man's Justin Williams /out the finishing). One thing not mentioned is that both Kopi and Brown said thay they really liked playing with AI. True his numbers weren't there, but he did start producing in terms of goals down the stretch, could just be an anomaly, or could be that he got the condifence and patience to finish better. The really interesting thing this year will be seeing if the Kings transition from a treading water at best bottom 6 with low minutes to a young and developing bottom 6 (Kempe, AI, Villardi, Brodz, Amadio...) and spread the time out a bit more.

The Red Wings could have taken Vilardi as he was available for them to pick his draft year. And I wanted them to take Vilardi. Instead the Wings took Rasmussen. The jury is still out if the Wings made the right choice. Rasmussen tore it up this year in the playoffs for his Junior hockey team, which was very encouraging. He will be part of the Wings new core in the future.

Curious what you Kings fans think.

One thing not mentioned is that both Kopi and Brown said thay they really liked playing with AI.
- ColoTim

Players always say that, though. You could put Clifford and Thompson on his wings and Kopitar would talk about the little things that they do that make it easy for him to play with them. He's not going to come out and say that he'd be even happier with wingers closer to his skill level. I don't imagine that he's complaining right now about the thought of being on the ice with Kovalchuk instead of Iafallo.

The Red Wings could have taken Vilardi as he was available for them to pick his draft year. And I wanted them to take Vilardi. Instead the Wings took Rasmussen. The jury is still out if the Wings made the right choice. Rasmussen tore it up this year in the playoffs for his Junior hockey team, which was very encouraging. He will be part of the Wings new core in the future.
- Vladdie_Kon1

IIRC, Rasmussen was in the group of 4 or 5 players that LA was expected to pick from. Vilardi wasn't even on the radar because he was expected to be long gone.

I think if Vilardi did not miss half a season with the back injury he would have gone in the top six and the Kings got a steal with him at number 11, much like they got a steal when Kopitar oddly slipped to them in his draft year. I think Rasmussen will be a great player but Vilardi is a big man with an awesome sklllset.