The Los Angeles Kings have kept injured first-round pick Gabe Vilardi with the team has recovers from a back injury that forced him to miss all of training camp.

However, with the injury almost fully healed, it appears his time with the Kings is coming to an end.

Kings general manager Rob Blake said on Nov. 11 Vilardi had begun skating and TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports the team will soon return the 11th overall pick in June's draft to the OHL's Windsor Spitfires.

McKenzie reports the 18-year-old centre is two-to-four weeks away from returning to game action. He scored 29 goals and posted 61 points in 49 games with the Spitfires last season.

Los Angeles has jumped out to a surprising 12-7-2 start to the season and sit first in the Pacific Division. 

His return should provide a boost to the Spitfires, who sit fifth in the OHL's Western Conference with a 12-10-1 record this season.