NHL free agency is just a few days away and the Winnipeg Jets are working hard to extend one of their top young forwards. Earlier this week, NHL insider <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/elliotte-friedman-reveals-concerning-winnipeg-jets-update-regarding-nikolaj-ehlers' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Elliotte Friedman gave an update on Nikolaj Ehlers' future in Winnipeg.</a> With Ehlers likely moving on from the Jets the organization seems to have moved on and are now prioritizing re-signing another young star Gabe Vilardi instead. <h3>Winnipeg Jets Make An Aggressive Push To Re-Sign Gabe Vilardi</h3> This evening, insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has confirmed that the Jets are looking to extend Gabe Vilardi long-term. Pagnotta admits that the two sides are in the early stages of extension talks but hopeful things will move quickly. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/thefourthperiod/status/1937979552464277873'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nhljetsnation/status/1937986103140831463'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Coming into this season Vilardi was in a make or break year having struggled to stay healthy and show the immense potential he once had. Vilardi arrived to the Jets as part of the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings. During Vilardi's time with the Kings he was relegated to mostly a bottom six role due to the organizations immense center and forward depth. This season that all changed as Vilardi exploded for 61 points in 71 games by far his best point total. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Vilardi took a bit of a step back tallying 4 points in 9 games played. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nhljetsnation/status/1936883716862902769'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Now, as Vilardi becomes a restricted free agent, the Jets and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will need to decide whether this breakout season warrants a major extension for Vilardi or if a short term deal is the way to go. Vilardi's restricted free agent status does provide the Jets with more time to negotiate this deal as they can go past July 1st and still retain Vilardi's rights.