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New York Rangers Stock Market: Entering the All-Star break on a high note

By Jennifer Moglia

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: The New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: The New York Rangers celebrate after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Vladislav Namestnikov (90) waits for the puck to drop on a face off. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Vladislav Namestnikov (90) waits for the puck to drop on a face off. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Down: Vladislav Namestnikov

Vladislav Namestnikov didn’t do much of anything this week…and that’s the problem. He had just one point in the four games he played this week.

It was an assist on the final goal in the game against the Hurricanes. This goal obviously didn’t mean a lot, since it was the sixth goal in a 6-2 win, and especially since Namestnikov had the helper and wasn’t the goal scorer.

It also lacked significance due to the fact that nine players got points on Tuesday, nearly half of the team. He is ninth on the team in points, 11th in goals, and seventh in assists.

His 16 points and 12 assists so far this season put him just below his pace for last season (and most other years of his career), but his four goals are a bit lower than usual. Namestnikov should definitely be playing better offensively right now if he wants to stay here or even if he wants to get traded to a contender at the deadline.

His lack of offensive production obviously impacts the Rangers as a whole as well. The more players scoring the better, and the easier it is to win games.

If he is not a part of New York’s future plans, the organization should at least want him playing better so they can get a substantial return for him in a trade. Additionally, the Rangers gave up quite a bit to get him, a package including Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. They should want to see him (along with Brett Howden, Libor Hajek, and their two draft picks from the Tampa Bay Lightning) succeed in order to feel like that blockbuster deal from last year was worth it.

Furthermore, the forward’s contract is up at the end of next season (he becomes an unrestricted free agent), and if he wants a raise, either with the Rangers or somewhere else, he will need to step it up.

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