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Photo by Claus Andersen / Getty Images files

As much as they covet Makar, he’ll probably be off the board unless general manager Jim Benning gets bold and packages Chris Tanev to meet the Stars’ pressing need. The Canucks would wind up with the third and fifth picks and could address positional needs, but that may not play out.

More importantly, it’s who the Avalanche select at No. 4 that will directly affect the Canucks. If Colorado finally decides to trade centre Matt Duchene, that void could be filled by Vilardi or Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks, who has better foot speed.

The Canucks like them both, but if Vilardi is still sitting there, they won’t need to call a timeout. They can rush the podium.

“It’s his size and strength,” Benning said of the 6-3, 201-pound Kingston, Ont. native. “His ability to protect the puck is his biggest asset. You see some of the bigger players in our division and how they buy time. That’s Vilardi’s big asset from the top of the (faceoff) circle down to get to the net.

“He also has a high-end release on his shot and he’s an interesting guy because he’s got a pro body already.”

Vilardi is also a double threat.

He was moved to wing because the Spitfires were loaded down the middle. It didn’t affect his ability to produce and being versatile is something that works to his draft advantage.

“It was tough at first, but I just got better with the experience and as the season went on, I got more comfortable and it’s going to help me moving forward where I can slot into a team’s lineup — whether it’s at centre or the wing,” said Vilardi. “You never know.”