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

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.

Gabriel Vilardi signed a six-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, avoiding an arbitration hearing. Financial terms were not disclosed. The 25-year-old forward had NHL career highs in goals (27),