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New York Rangers: Introducing Vladislav Namestnikov

By Sam Prevot

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 22: Tampa Bay Lightning Center Vladislav Namestnikov (90) prepares for a face-off during first period National Hockey League action between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators on February 22, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 22: Tampa Bay Lightning Center Vladislav Namestnikov (90) prepares for a face-off during first period National Hockey League action between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators on February 22, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New York Rangers acquired Vladislav Namestnikov in the trade that sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to Tampa Bay. Here is a profile of Namestnikov and how he got to the NHL.

On February 26th, the Rangers traded captain Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition to getting Tampa Bay’s 2018 first round pick, the Rangers also acquired Vladislav Namestnikov.

Namestnikov spent this season on a line with Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, two of the best players in the NHL this year. He is posting career highs in all statistical categories this season but has been in the league for a few years now.

Namestnikov’s father Evgeny played in the NHL with the Canucks, Islanders, and Predators. His uncle Vyacheslav “Slava” Kozlov played in the NHL as well, winning two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Kozlov was teammates with Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman.

Namestnikov is a native of Russia but spent most of his childhood in Michigan. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League for the London Knights. In two seasons with the Knights, he earned 68 and 71 points respectively. In 2011, the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted him 27th overall.

Related Story: New York Rangers: Was the return for Ryan McDonagh fair?

Professional career

Namestnikov signed an entry-level contract with the Lightning in 2012 and spent two years with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch before spending about half of the 2014-15 season in the NHL.

This season is Namestnikov’s best statistically in the NHL. In 62 games with the Lightning before the trade, he had 20 goals and 24 assists, totaling 44 points. Riding shotgun with Stamkos and Kucherov put a puff on his numbers.

Now Namestnikov is a New York Ranger. He played in his first game as a Ranger in Vancouver on Wednesday night. He played on a line with Jimmy Vesey and Mats Zuccarello.  The line produced three points, two of which were Namestnikov’s. In his Ranger debut, the center scored a goal and assisted on Vesey’s 12th of the season.

Namestnikov is 5’11”, which is on the shorter side for an NHL forward. However, he has proven playmaking skills and can play well defensively as well as offensively.

It is up to him now to prove that he can still produce the way he has this season without help from the likes of Kucherov and Stamkos. He will have to step up into a larger role in this rebuilding Rangers team and continue to develop.

The addition of J.T. Miller to the McDonagh trade creates more need for Namestnikov to step up into this new role with the Rangers. He currently has a higher average time on ice than Miller does and four more points. When it comes to contracts, both players will be RFAs this summer but Namestnikov currently makes $1 million less than Miller.

Next: New York Rangers: Thank you for everything Ryan McDonagh

All signs point to Namestnikov being a good return for the Rangers in this trade. He is still young but provides some experience in a rebuilding lineup. He will just have to prove he is just as skilled without his elite linemates as he has been with them.

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