Buried in yesterday’s post-game news was this nugget:
Vilardi is out tonight with an injury and will be evaluated by Kings doctors on Monday. https://t.co/rt5bPuCE8I
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) December 9, 2018
Add to this – asked Kings source if Vilardi injury was back related or something different
Was told it might be but not sure yet
Again they’ll know more on Monday https://t.co/JEYKId94IF— lisa dillman (@reallisa) December 9, 2018
We’ll have to wait a little bit to learn more about what’s ailing Vilardi, and whether or not it’s going to impact his appearance for Team Canada in the upcoming World Juniors tournament. It’s got to be frustrating not only for the Kings organization, who was hoping Vilardi could play a role in the NHL this year, but for Vilardi himself, who probably wants nothing more than to just be playing hockey.
Whether this injury is related to Vilardi’s previous back and hip injuries or not, this has to be a frustrating year or so for the promising young forward. While at the time of the draft, the biggest issue was Vilardi’s skating — a fixable issue that the Kings have had success in working around before — it looks like his propensity for being injured is really the bigger concern.
We’ll keep you updated as more becomes known about Vilardi’s situation. For now, we wish him the best and a speedy, full recovery.
Kings Things
Did you know: the Kings won a matinee game yesterday? We’ve got the quick post-game reaction right here. [Jewels from the Crown]
And here’s the perspective from the other side of the bench. [Knights on Ice]
Kyle Clifford, who left the game after a hit to the head, did not travel to Detroit. [Kings Insider]
The Ontario Reign dropped their most recent game in Tucson, 5-0. [Five for Howling]
Matt Luff, the first Hamilton Bulldog to sign an NHL contract, is using his history of being passed over by teams to help drive him to success. [Hamilton Spectator]
Lisa Dillman sits down for a conversation with play-by-play announcer Alex Faust. [The Athletic]
Elsewhere in the World
An offer sheet for Auston Matthews? [TheScore]
Young stars are getting paid more, and earlier. What does that mean for the rest of the league? [The Athletic]
The Montreal Canadiens: actually good? [Eyes on the Prize]
The best thing for women’s hockey would be to unite under one league. The issue is how to get there. [The Athletic]
The league probably didn’t think the Blackhawks would be in last place when they awarded them their 49845th outdoor game. [NHL]
Does the addition of the league’s 32nd team mean a change to the playoffs format is in store? [Buffalo News]
More shakeups in women’s hockey, as the Buffalo Beauts fired their head coach after getting off to a 3-3 start to the season. [The Ice Garden]
GOALIE GOAL. [NHL]
A look at NHL Seattle president and CEO Tod Leiweke. [NHL]
Your Evening Entertainment
If you didn’t get enough of the Vegas Golden Knights yesterday, you can watch them take on the Dallas Stars back at home. Tune in to see if their performance against the Kings was just a fluke or not. The game starts at 6:00 PM Pacific and is the free streaming game on NHL.com.