Vladislav Namestnikov

Originally a first-round pick of the Lightning in 2011, Namestnikov has played for five different teams since being traded to the Rangers in February 2018 in the Ryan McDonagh/J.T. Miller deal. He split last season between Detroit and Dallas, posting 16 goals and 30 points in 75 games. An unrestricted free agent this past summer, Namestnikov inked a one-year, $2.5 million deal to return to Tampa Bay. He seems likely to play a bottom-six role in his return to the club, but Namestnikov has proven his ability to play alongside high-end players in the past, so keep an eye on where he is deployed early in the year.

While Namestnikov took a step back with 17 points in 53 games in 2020-21 compared to 31 points in 65 contests the year before, he made strides defensively. The Russian forward also saw a career-high 16:11 of ice time per game. The Red Wings remain fairly unimpressive on paper, but Namestnikov could be a bright spot in a middle-six role. He topped 30 points in four of the five years prior to last year's downturn, so there's reason to be optimistic that he'll bounce back in 2021-22. Don't expect much more than 30 points, although he'll also add healthy totals in hits and PIM as a tough forward.

Namestnikov played with three teams in 2019-20, amassing 31 points in 65 games split between the Rangers, Senators and Avalanche. He's shown the ability to make the most of limited opportunities, which has led to the Russian forward posting at least 30 points in four of the last five years. Namestnikov also had 108 hits and 45 PIM last season, adding a little grit to the Red Wings' relatively young offense. Namestnikov could play his way into a middle-six role, but points will be a bit harder to come by in Detroit, so fantasy managers should cap their expectations at the 30-point mark.

Namestnikov is a likely candidate to be moved in a trade with the Rangers cap-strapped after allocating almost $20 million to Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. Regardless of whether he stays or goes, the versatile Russian forward will probably struggle to reach the 40-point mark. He had 44 points in 62 games with the Lightning prior to being dealt to the Rangers at the 2018 trade deadline, but the major caveat on that output is that it came while playing on a line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. In the subsequent season and change on Broadway, Namestnikov reverted to his production level from previous campaigns, posting 35 points in 97 games. Namestnikov won't land in another situation as ideal as he had with Tampa Bay no matter where he plays, so his output as a Ranger is a better indicator of his production moving forward.

Namestnikov's fantasy stock suffered a major blow at the trade deadline, as he went from skating alongside Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov in Tampa Bay to a less certain role on a Rangers team in the midst of a youth movement. The 25-year-old Russian's stats took a nosedive in New York -- he managed just four points in 19 games after posting 44 in 62 appearances for the Lightning. Namestnikov's not as inept as his slow start with his new club indicates, but he's no lock to skate in the top six and doesn't put many pucks on net, so adjust accordingly on draft day.

Namestnikov's overall production may have dropped in 2016-17, but the shine on his future only got brighter. He flashed his dynamic offensive skills early in the season playing left wing on a line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. That trio dominated possession and produced at even strength. Unfortunately, Stamkos' injury forced some line juggling and Namestnikov's production soon dropped, just like his spot in the lineup. This season should be different -- he has every chance to break camp as the left winger alongside Stamkos. Failing that, he should be the team's third-line center. Either way, Namestnikov is a fabulous playmaker with buttery soft hands, so all he really needs is a strong finisher on his line to deliver points.

Namestnikov's first full season in the NHL was a little like those cereal variety packs – there was a bit of Rice Krispie boredom while playing on the lower lines, but he also delivered remarkable Frosted Flakes deliciousness on the top lines. But even with the boring bits, Namestnikov's overall production was outstanding. He put up career marks in goals (14), assists (21) and points (35) in 80 games in 2015-16 and turned that into a two-year, $3.875 million deal with the Bolts over the summer. Namestnikov didn't look out of place in his Tony the Tiger opportunities beside Steven Stamkos and that's where he's likely to see time this season. The Bolts are deep down the middle – think Tyler Johnson, Stamkos and Valterri Filppula – so Vlad will need to slide to the wing unless the team moves Filppula's contract early in the season. He could jump to 50 points beside Stammer this season. Long term, the team feels he's best deployed at center, so it won't be many seasons before he becomes the team's second-line pivot. He's definitely on the rise.

Namestnikov is uber talented, but for now, there’s little room at the inn for him to flex his offensive muscles. He didn’t see much time in the playoffs last year, and the cadre of forwards in Tampa Bay is pretty much set, so he won’t get a chance to increase his ice time or role … yet. He’ll play for the Bolts in 2015-16, but is penciled onto the third line. And the power of the top two lines means he just won’t see many special-teams opportunities. But keeper leaguers should stash him now -- it won’t take long for the Bolts to realize they won’t be able to keep all of their young studs, and Namestnikov will be ready to fill any voids created by trades. Buy and hold if you can. Or target him at your trade deadline if you’re liquidating assets in preparation for the future.

Namestnikov got off to a hot start in the AHL last season, picking up a remarkable 19 points in his first 13 games. Surgery for a broken hand kept him on the sidelines for five weeks, but we're confident he would have finished in the league's top-five scorers had he played the whole season. Even so, the talented playmaker may not earn a gig in Tampa to start this season. He's talented enough to be there, but Steven Stamkos is healthy, and that will bump Namestnikov down the depth chart of centers. He may be best served to dominate a full season in the AHL, but that doesn't diminish his value in dynasty leagues. He'll be a point-per-game playmaker in his prime -- stash him away.

Namestnikov is yet another supremely-talented young Russian forward the Bolts have boldly stashed away. He's still a distance from the NHL, but like fellow countryman, Nikita Kucherov, he has first-line upside. The two are different players -- Namestnikov would be considered the playmaker while Kucherov the sniper. So his keeper value is tied to your league format. We'd put Kucherov a notch higher simply because of his sniping. But the two might end up being equally valuable in three season's time. Watch him in the AHL this season to see how his game grows.

Namestnikov is a whole lot closer to a job in Tampa than fellow Russian prospect Nikita Kucherov. Namestnikov isn't quite as talented as Kucherov, but he's awfully close. Combine that with his willingness to leave Russia and play in North America, specifically in the pro-style system of the London Knights, and willingness to play with an edge, and you have a potential top-line playmaker. His speed will impress in camp and he'll press for a job this fall. But we fully expect him to toil -- and dominate -- in the AHL in 2012-13.

Namestnikov has those trademark one-on-one skills – elite playmaking, great vision and exceptional lateral speed – of an elite offensive Russian hockey forward. But his game also has some holes. His lateral speed isn’t equaled straight ahead and he’s not the fleetest of skaters. He’s skinny (170 lbs) for a six-footer, something that sets off a few alarm bells for a guy who’s older than most of his draft class. And his shot is well below average. Still, he could be a Mikhail Grabovski-like waterbug without the snipes if he can grow his game. And his bloodlines -- son of a former NHLer (John) and nephew of Slava Kozlov -- speak to his potential.