Whatever happened to Vilardi?

[santiclaws]

Oh yeah, he's down in Ontario piling up the points. I don't know about the status of his attitude adjustment, but with two assists tonight, he's up over a point a game. 23GP, 10G, 14A.

Two beautiful feeds to Fagemo for goals in the 8-5 win:

https://streamable.com/3dlw5s

https://streamable.com/wyujxk

JAD with a hat trick and Wagner with the Gordie Howe hat trick tonight, too.

 

[Kurisu]

That second one is filthy.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

For me personally, he has adjusted his attitude by doing the job down there. I don't have a problem with a guy who doesn't want to be in the minors and as a result, plays with a chip on his shoulder and scores. Hope he gets the call up. He's earned it. I think he will. I think this was purposely a long send down to get him to think about it and value his NHL time and put it in the work to stay there. Not saying it's been handled perfectly, but I imagine this was the idea.

 

[VCRW]

Vilardi has needed to learn how to use his abilities from either wing. The light seems to have come on for him in the last month. He is becoming a valuable asset once again.

And even Wags seems to be benefiting from the time in the AHL. He scored his 9th goal last night!

 

[Helvetica]

one of the most encouraging things about that 2nd play was them winning a loose puck down low, and turning that into a score. That's exactly the kind of thing he needs to be doing.

 

[fonze]

everytime i worry about our prospects especially when converting a center ... i have to remind myself ... kempe ... haha

 

[Rogie-Vachon]

I firmly believe that this is Dustin Brown's last year playing with the Kings.

I think Blake knows this. I think Luc knows this. I think Brownie knows this.

Who knows what happens with the enigma known as Kempe after this season?

Whatever happens this season is icing. It's the 22-23 season the team moves on from The Core....and by seeing the young guys develop that way they have....I'm trusting the process...(until I compare Zegras with Turcotte: DAMN IT BLAKE!)

 

[jt]

For me personally, he has adjusted his attitude by doing the job down there. I don't have a problem with a guy who doesn't want to be in the minors and as a result, plays with a chip on his shoulder and scores. Hope he gets the call up. He's earned it. I think he will. I think this was purposely a long send down to get him to think about it and value his NHL time and put it in the work to stay there. Not saying it's been handled perfectly, but I imagine this was the idea.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when gets called up the next time. I agree the player who gets sent down and "plays with a chip on his shoulder and scores", as long as it's the right way. Some players do it in an "I'll work my ass off and prove I deserve to be in the NHL" (Quick) while for others it's more of an "F you, you're an a-hole for sending me down" (Bernier). The first is what you want the player to do and the second is self-destructive IMO. I don't know which it is for Vilardi but I hope that when he comes up he doesn't start strong and then go back to his lazy uninspired play like he has in his two call-ups so far. I hope he's learned that to stay in the NHL on a good team, he has to work hard all the time.

 

[MiketheKing]

I was at the game last night in Ontario and it was really fun to watch. Here are some observations. It's amazing to watch our system in the defensive Zone as we let players block right on down the middle just like in the pros leaving Parik out to dry.

Vilardi looked good, made some nice plays. Turcotte kept keeping his head down and getting nailed causing a few fights for his teammates stepping in to defend his honor. I'm still not convinced we made the right choice with turcotte I'm not seeing NHL yet.

It's nice to see that Wagner is finally doing something, and is not the hope of the organization as he's fallen tremendously down the roster depth.

Overall, it was a great night out we had a good dinner before their game and the tickets were only 20 bucks each, roughly the same a $200 ticket at the Staples would be. If you're in the area or I've never been to an Ontario reign game you should definitely check it out.

 

[KHenry14]

The second goal was superb. Gabe needs to come up to the big club soon

 

[LAKingSteve]

Overall, it was a great night out we had a good dinner before their game and the tickets were only 20 bucks each, roughly the same a $200 ticket at the Staples would be. If you're in the area or I've never been to an Ontario reign game you should definitely check it out.

Where did you get dinner? Lots of reasonably good places up there, many of them chains. We've gone to 4th & Mill (pizza and beer) before our last couple Reign games.

We bought the black friday special with the reign. 4 tickets to 5 games for the price of 2 tickets plus 4 tickets to the Kings-Kraken game plus the rep is throwing in 4 tix to any other Kings game I want to go to this year. Likely Kings-Hawks in late March.

We are lucky we live close (Corona) so it's not a trek for us but I definitely think that Kings fans should try and make a visit at some point. Very small arena, really not a bad seat in the house. Food inside sucks, that's really the one downside.

 

[jt]

Where did you get dinner? Lots of reasonably good places up there, many of them chains. We've gone to 4th & Mill (pizza and beer) before our last couple Reign games.

We bought the black friday special with the reign. 4 tickets to 5 games for the price of 2 tickets plus 4 tickets to the Kings-Kraken game plus the rep is throwing in 4 tix to any other Kings game I want to go to this year. Likely Kings-Hawks in late March.

We are lucky we live close (Corona) so it's not a trek for us but I definitely think that Kings fans should try and make a visit at some point. Very small arena, really not a bad seat in the house. Food inside sucks, that's really the one downside.

It's been a couple years but I've been to a few games and I couldn't agree more. It's a great experience with a smaller arena and getting a chance to watch these kids play before they turn into whoever they'll become it a fantastic opportunity.

 

[MiketheKing]

Where did you get dinner? Lots of reasonably good places up there, many of them chains. We've gone to 4th & Mill (pizza and beer) before our last couple Reign games.

We bought the black friday special with the reign. 4 tickets to 5 games for the price of 2 tickets plus 4 tickets to the Kings-Kraken game plus the rep is throwing in 4 tix to any other Kings game I want to go to this year. Likely Kings-Hawks in late March.

We are lucky we live close (Corona) so it's not a trek for us but I definitely think that Kings fans should try and make a visit at some point. Very small arena, really not a bad seat in the house. Food inside sucks, that's really the one downside.

Well, food was an interesting story. I wanted to go to our fav. standby "Holiday Cafe" off Milliken, but was sad to hear they sold and are out of business..so instead it was between Lazy Dog Cafe (chain) and a Cuban restaurant Flamingo Palms, both about 1.5 miles from the arena. Turns out Cuban was closed Mondays...so Lazy Dog it was! Burgers were good, 2 sodas + 2 bugers + tip =$46

The restaurant was very nice inside, as were the restrooms. I'd say it's a step above Red Robin, but nothing to die for--i'd go back to try other menu items... As for your assement, yes the Arena Experience was great, easy in/out parking and the fans weren't as trashy as I remembered, everyone was chill monday--and what a show 11 goals scored total.

 

[xLAxKingsx]

I firmly believe that this is Dustin Brown's last year playing with the Kings.

I think Blake knows this. I think Luc knows this. I think Brownie knows this.

Who knows what happens with the enigma known as Kempe after this season?

Whatever happens this season is icing. It's the 22-23 season the team moves on from The Core....and by seeing the young guys develop that way they have....I'm trusting the process...(until I compare Zegras with Turcotte: DAMN IT BLAKE!)

The Arm Chair GM in me wanted Zegras over Turcotte. Seeing Zegras killing it in Analheim makes me sad.

 

[Kurisu]

SiriusXM NHL was talking about tonight's Penguins / Caps match up tonight and comparing the legacy's of Ovie and Sid, and the conversation actually made me think of Vilardi and his situation with us.

They were talking about how, as great as he is, Ovie is essentially just a goal scorer (albeit, the best in a generation) whereas Crosby plays a complete 200ft game with exponentially more responsibility playing center. I realize this is a hyperbolic stretch to bring that conversation back to Vilardi, but it did sort of put in perspective how he might feel insulted by having his development switched to wing as a young highly touted prospect. I guess I've only every thought of it in the context of older, already developed players switching roles later in their career (like Carter), and not really considered being a young hot-shot being told you aren't good enough to play center.

Just a random thought. Really glad he's scoring again and hope to see him soon with the big club.

 

[Rogie-Vachon]

The Arm Chair GM in me wanted Zegras over Turcotte. Seeing Zegras killing it in Analheim makes me sad.

After watching the playoffs last season - COLE CAUFIELD was the man....then, this season started.

 

[triplcrown]

I was at the game last night in Ontario and it was really fun to watch. Here are some observations. It's amazing to watch our system in the defensive Zone as we let players block right on down the middle just like in the pros leaving Parik out to dry.

Vilardi looked good, made some nice plays. Turcotte kept keeping his head down and getting nailed causing a few fights for his teammates stepping in to defend his honor. I'm still not convinced we made the right choice with turcotte I'm not seeing NHL yet.

It's nice to see that Wagner is finally doing something, and is not the hope of the organization as he's fallen tremendously down the roster depth.

Overall, it was a great night out we had a good dinner before their game and the tickets were only 20 bucks each, roughly the same a $200 ticket at the Staples would be. If you're in the area or I've never been to an Ontario reign game you should definitely check it out.

How much is parking?

Also, let me suggest as a restaurant choice for next time:

http://theluxebuffet.net/index.html

 

[MiketheKing]

How much is parking?

Also, let me suggest as a restaurant choice for next time:

http://theluxebuffet.net/index.html

Thanks for the recommendation, my Dad the food critic also recommended Luxe but I don't trust myself not to overeat a buffet before a hockey game so I passed but I will try it in the future

 

[Clif]

Panda Inn is about 2 miles away and just on the other side of the 10. I don’t even like Chinese food much but this place is excellent.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

It'll be interesting to see what happens when gets called up the next time. I agree the player who gets sent down and "plays with a chip on his shoulder and scores", as long as it's the right way. Some players do it in an "I'll work my ass off and prove I deserve to be in the NHL" (Quick) while for others it's more of an "F you, you're an a-hole for sending me down" (Bernier). The first is what you want the player to do and the second is self-destructive IMO. I don't know which it is for Vilardi but I hope that when he comes up he doesn't start strong and then go back to his lazy uninspired play like he has in his two call-ups so far. I hope he's learned that to stay in the NHL on a good team, he has to work hard all the time.

If he puts a few good games together to start, I'd be tempted to move him if you think he's going to be that whiny player.