LA Kings: Second line is critical to team scoring more goals
By Ryan Sikes
Gabe Vilardi
Another first-round pick. Gabe Vilardi was taken with the 11th overall pick in 2017, four picks behind the newly acquired Lias Andersson. He’s been limited by injuries but returned to Ontario in November last season.
In the A, Vilardi scored 9 goals with 16 assists for 25 points in 32 games. He also scored 4 goals on the man advantage. Once he got the NHL call, it was instant productivity, scoring 7 points (3G, 4A) in 10 games before the shutdown.
He’s expected to see a bump in minutes from the 12:51 average on-ice time last season. Vilardi is a key member of the Kings’ prospect pool, and he’ll be expected to be a major contributor on the second line.
Hopefully, 15 goals and 20 assists aren’t out of the realm of possibility.