Vladislav Namestnikov was more than deserving of his two-year, $3M AAV contract extension, but the contract agreement should not stop the Winnipeg Jets from pursuing a second-line centre or another skilled forward.
The 32-year-old is in the second and final year of the $2M contract he signed with the Jets prior to the 2023-24 season, but the extension means he’ll be with the team until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
Although the Russian centre has been phenomenal since they traded for him, upgrading and allowing him to play a lesser role could be beneficial in the playoffs.
Namestnikov, the 27th overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft, has an abundance of skill, but it doesn’t always translate to big-time offensive numbers. His career-high of 20 goals and 44 points came in the 2017-18 season. Playing alongside Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti for a large part of the season has Namestnikov on pace to tie his career-high in points.
He’s proven to be capable of doing a fine job as a second-line centre, but acquiring a centre like Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders would allow Namestnikov to slide onto the third line next to Adam Lowry and Nino Niederreiter. On the third line, Namestnikov and Niederreiter can drive play from the wings and allow Lowry to continue to be the physically imposing and defensive stalwart he’s been all season long.
Although this would be placing Namestnikov in a role to thrive, it would help unlock Ehlers and Perfetti’s skill. Nelson is one of the most efficient scorers in the NHL, averaging a shooting percentage of 14.1% throughout his 12-year career.
If the price is too high for Nelson, pivoting and looking for a winger could help Namestinkov as well. Seattle Kraken’s Oliver Bjorkstrand or Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell would be upgrades on Perfetti due to their experience and would take some offensive pressure off of Namestnikov and Ehlers.
The contract is a tidy piece of business by GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. It can be difficult to find a player of Namestnikov’s calibre at a cost-efficient price, but if the Jets have aspirations of hoisting the Stanley Cup, additional moves will need to be made.
Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
The Hockey News – Jets Extend Vladislav Namestnikov on Two-Year Deal The Winnipeg Jets have signed forward Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year contract extension.
The Hockey News – Which Forwards Should The Jets Target At The Trade Deadline The Winnipeg Jets are in search of forward help as they approach the trade deadline, but which forwards should they be targeting to help improve their roster?
Read the full article here
