until Drouin re establishes himself as a top 6 forward.....not even close.

Why would LA do this?

Montreal doesn't have anything that the Kings would want that would be worth giving up Vilardi. They're not about to give up Suzuki or Caufield, which are really the only pieces that are age and position appropriate for the Kings.

Not this trade specifically, but LA has a number of prospects and it's not unreasonable to speculate they might consider moving one for more immediate help.

I think if Anderson were in the trade instead of Drouin, they would consider it. But with another 2nd, they'd probably seriously consider it. (Except Anderson has an NTC)

They absolutely will, and there's 30 other teams in the NHL to trade with. Montreal just doesn't have anything that lines up with their current plans. Guys like Gallagher and Anderson have NTCs and aren't likely to waive for LA. Kings could have had Toffoli on the open market after Vancouver passed decided they didn't want to go that route.

Kings might be interested in Romanov, but not at the cost of Vilardi.

Anderson looks good now, but 3+ years from now, his contract won't look that good anymore. Kings are just getting out from under long-term, $5½M contract for guys in their 30s (Brown, Carter, Quick), they're not looking to trade away quality young players for bit money guys that are at an age that players generally start to decline.

The Kings took on Danault and Arvidsson because they didn't have to give up anything of value (aside from cap space) to get them. If Anderson was available without having to give up anything from the roster, then the Kings might consider it. At the cost of Vilardi, Anderson won't be the key piece coming back.

That's why I said not this trade in particular.
Prospects are often moved for older players is what I was getting at. You mentioned age appropriate as being a factor.

Sure, but not top guys like Vilardi. I could see LA moving someone like Kupari, Madden, or Thomas for an older guy. Vilardi is the type of guy that you trade for, not one that you trade away. He's NHL ready and just entering his prime years. They'd just move him to the wing before they traded him for less valuable players.

In other words, LA would consider trading Vilardi+ for an upgrade. They wouldn't trade Vilardi for Player+.