Jets sign Vilardi to 6-year contract

The Winnipeg Jets and restricted free-agent forward Gabe Vilardi avoided arbitration by agreeing to a six-year contract, the team announced Friday.

The deal is worth $7.5 million annually, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Vilardi was one of three Jets players to file for arbitration, joining Morgan Barron and Dylan Samberg. Barron and Winnipeg agreed to a two-year contract earlier this week.

Vilardi is coming off his best season, posting new career highs in goals (27), assists (34), and points (61) in 2024-25.

The 25-year-old is entering his third campaign with the Jets after they acquired him in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023. Vilardi produced 22 goals, 14 assists, and 36 points in his first year in Winnipeg.