Sports

Jets, Gabriel Vilardi agree to 2-year, $6.875M deal: Why the contract makes sense for both sides

Published

1 year ago

July 20, 2023

The Winnipeg Jets and forward Gabriel Vilardi agreed to terms on a two-year contract Wednesday, avoiding arbitration. Here’s what you need to know:

The deal carries an average annual value of $3.4375 million.
Vilardi was acquired by Winnipeg in last month’s trade with the Kings for center Pierre-Luc Dubois.
The 23-year-old, who was a restricted free agent and filed for arbitration earlier this month, tallied 41 points in 63 games for L.A. last season.

CONFIRMED ???? pic.twitter.com/QEuAvkUVF5

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) July 19, 2023

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

The importance of signing this deal before arbitration

Put yourself in Vilardi’s shoes for a moment. You’re 23 years old and just put together a 23-goal, 41-point season — the best of your young career — before getting shipped from Los Angeles to Winnipeg as the centerpiece of the Kings’ package for Dubois. Would you really want your first Jets contract to be signed through arbitration, after hearing Jets management argue why you’re not worth the raise you deserve? Avoiding arbitration was important for Winnipeg and Vilardi to get off on the right foot. Both parties knew it and this contract should not be a surprise. — Ates

This contract makes sense for Vilardi

There are fans who will look at Vilardi’s two-year contract term and worry: Is it too short? I can understand that perspective — he’s a quality player, turns 24 this August, and Winnipeg could really use some long-term security after Dubois’ early exit, the Blake Wheeler buyout, and the possibility that Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele are also moved this season. That said, I like the two-year term for Vilardi and the Jets, too.

Vilardi will get two years to get familiar with the Jets’ city and the organization before making any long-term commitments. He’ll try to use his 41-point breakout season as starting point for bigger production, continued health, and a solidified role in Winnipeg’s top six. Most of all, he’ll see what Winnipeg has to offer and learn whether or not he sees himself as a long-term fit — and that feeling takes time to develop. — Ates

Why this deal works for Winnipeg

From Winnipeg’s perspective, the two-year term protects against an early UFA exit.

Had Vilardi signed for three years, his contract would end in 2026 — one year before his earliest eligibility for unrestricted free agency. At that time, all he’d need to do to become a 2027 UFA would have been filing for arbitration, guaranteeing a one-year contract. Vilardi’s two-year deal protects Winnipeg against that outcome, giving the Jets two opportunities to sign him long term: 2025, when this contract ends, and again in 2026 if they go short term in 2025. It’s a bit convoluted but it’s the sort of thing you have to pay attention to in Winnipeg, given Dubois’ exit and given the other players who have fast-tracked their way to UFA status in recent years. — Ates

Gabriel Vilardi took a big step forward last season and his bridge deal should be a bargain for the Jets over the next two seasons. pic.twitter.com/FRm1IVVCl9

— dom ???? (@domluszczyszyn) July 19, 2023

What does this mean for Winnipeg’s salary cap?

The Jets project to start the season with approximately $3.8 million in cap space with 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies under contract. This is plenty of space with which to work: The Jets aren’t in LTIR anymore and will build cap space throughout the season. If Hellebuyck and Scheifele were signed long-term at their current cap hits, you might even argue the Jets were in good position to be buyers at the trade deadline.

We all know that’s not the case: Hellebuyck and Scheifele’s futures remain uncertain, even if we now expect both players to start the season in Winnipeg. (The Jets also still need to sign Logan Stanley, Rasmus Kupari and Declan Chisholm. Those signings will eventually necessitate a player being sent to the minors; Winnipeg should have plenty of cap space to start the season.) — Ates

What comes next?

The added cap space helps Winnipeg if the Jets want to make additions this season in the name of chasing immediate-term success. It also helps if the Jets end up trading Hellebuyck and Scheifele mid-season.

By the trade deadline, rival teams’ needs will be more clear and Winnipeg will have paid most of Hellebuyck and Scheifele’s cap hits. If the Jets are not contenders, the added cap space will open up options by trade, whether in terms of retaining cap hit to increase trade returns or by taking back quality players whose cap hits are less than ideal. Whatever the end route, flexibility helps Winnipeg work — especially this season, before the cap increases next summer.

In the short term, the Jets will sort out Kupari, Stanley and Chisholm’s futures. They might find a way to clear some space on their crowded blue line. They’ll definitely address Hellebuyck and Scheifele’s futures, but perhaps without immediate clarity, just by bringing them to camp. There’s no rebuild on the near horizon; the Jets will try to navigate all of this uncertainty in a way that keeps them in the playoff mix. — Ates

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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