Vilardi, 25, is now under contract through the 2030-31 season at a $7.5-million cap hit, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Vilardi filed for arbitration earlier in July, so this signing avoids a hearing where the Jets would have had to try to convince an arbitrator why Vilardi is not worth as much as the player's camp says he is.

The Winnipeg Jets locked up forward Gabriel Vilardi on Friday, signing the forward to a six-year extension worth $45 million

The Winnipeg Jets’ “Vilardi Party” will continue for the next half-dozen seasons as the team has signed the budding star forward to a six-year contract