Extending Vladislav Namestnikov Should Not Halt The Jets Pursuit Of A Second-Line Centre
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.
Vladislav Namestnikov, signed to a 2x$3M extension by WPG, is a bottom six two-way forward who plays pretty good hockey at even strength. #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/5vQNL0TTlK
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 22, 2025
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.
25 goals and 47 points in 55 games for Rickard Rakell this season. 👀 Showing off why he was added to Sweden's #4Nations Face-Off roster. 🇸🇪 📺: @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/VSYL0ZjmuW
— NHL (@NHL) February 8, 2025
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?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Myles Garrett doesn't hold back when asked about the opportunity to face Aaron Rodgers in the AFC North
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is excited to play Aaron Rodgers twice a year. The Browns' star sack artist was asked Tuesday at minicamp about facing the new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. Garrett didn't mince words. Advertisement "Good opportunity to put him in the graveyard," he said. Garrett is looking to make good on the massive contract extension he signed with Cleveland this offseason. Back in March, the 29-year-old inked a deal that will pay him an average annual salary of $40 million over four years and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Now the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, Garrett is hungry to add to his career 102.5 sack total. The 2017 No. 1 overall pick and Texas A&M product finished second in the league with 14 sacks last season. He's logged 12 or more sacks each of the past five seasons, including the 2023 campaign when he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett will be joined by this year's No. 5 overall pick, defensive tackle Mason Graham. A menace on the defensive interior at Michigan, Graham accounted for 34 pressures in 2024 and 29 more during the Wolverines' national championship run in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. Advertisement Together, they'll hunt quarterbacks such as Rodgers. Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers ahead of the team's mandatory minicamp. The contract is worth $13.65 million, with $10 million guaranteed, per multiple reports. It could pay as much as $19.5 million with incentives. Following an adverse two-season stay in New York with the Jets, Rodgers is looking to finish his career in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are searching for their first playoff win since 2016. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP, except he hasn't won that award, or come close to winning it, since he claimed the honor in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021. He missed practically the entire 2023 season, his first in New York, with an Achilles injury suffered on his fourth offensive snap of the year. In 2024, he threw for 3,897 yards — but averaged just 6.7 yards per attempt — totaling 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh five games in and finished 5-12. The pressure will be on Pittsburgh's offensive line to give Rodgers time to throw this season, especially against a confident Myles Garrett and a head-turning Cleveland Browns defensive line.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New Betting Odds Reveal Red Wings As Potential Landing Spot for Jonathan Toews
Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews aims return to NHL action next season with next team betting odds revealing surprising contenders. Image The three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews is looking to make a return to hockey. The reports came as Toews is coming back after battling a number of ailments including long COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome. Advertisement Toews was one of the league's best players in his prime with a dominant two-way game that labeled him as one of the best defensive forwards of his generation. Any team would be lucky to have his experience, veteran leadership and hopefully decent production on the scoresheet. No one knows where the now 37-year-old centre will go but new betting odds posted by several sportsbooks give us a subtle indication of where he might go. Jonathan Toews Next Team Betting Odds Per FanDuel Sportsbook Winnipeg Jets +210 Toronto Maple Leafs +300 Colorado Avalanche +470 Vegas Golden Knights +650 Edmonton Oilers +1100 Tampa Bay Lightning +1500 Detroit Red Wings +1900 Anaheim Ducks +2200 New York Rangers +3400 Dallas Stars +4500 Los Angeles Kings +4500 Washington Capitals +4500 Minnesota Wild +4500 Florida Panthers +4500 New York Islanders +5000 Calgary Flames +5000 New Jersey Devils +5000 Chicago Blackhawks +5500 Carolina Hurricanes +5500 Boston Bruins +6000 Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. The leader is Toews' hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba where he can play for a legitimate cup contender as well as be close to his family. One of the surprising names towards the top is the Red Wings, with the seventh-best odds at +1900, making them an intriguing option with one storyline in mind. Chicago's dynasty in the 2010s was highlighted by the dynamic duo of Toews and Patrick Kane. The duo hasn't played together since 2023 when Kane was dealt to the New York Rangers. A reunion would instantly become one of the league's most compelling storylines and could give the Red Wings a dependable second-line centre option. Advertisement It's been noted by several NHL insiders this off-season that the second line centre position will be one that many teams are looking to fill. The Red Wings are one of these teams in need with Marco Kasper and J.T. Compher being their only current options. Adding a player of Toews' caliber would be massive and would likely add some line chemistry by placing him with Kane once again. More Red Wings: Red Wings 2025 Free‑Agent Class: Breaking Down Patrick Kane, Alex Lyon and More Detroit has just $23.1 million in cap space heading into the off-season, which means they'll potentially have a chance to land the longtime Blackhawks captain However, they could be outbid, as the Red Wings will likely need to prioritize their spending elsewhere such as re-signing Kane before exploring other free-agent additions. Advertisement Kane remaining with the team could help entice Toews to join Detroit, offering him the chance to reunite with a familiar face while becoming part of a team trending toward playoff contention. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
At official introduction, Bruins coach Marco Sturm talks about what GM Don Sweeney called ‘renewing our identity'
This is Sturm's first NHL head coaching job after three seasons guiding the Ontario Reign, the Kings' AHL affiliate. Advertisement 'When I saw Don Sweeney's name on my text, it was pretty special. It got me really, really excited,' said Sturm. 'And of course I want to be an NHL coach, but this means more. And why? I think there's a few reasons. I think the identity, and Don was talking about the culture we built here 20 years ago. It's still here. The style and all the winning mind-set we had, I think that's something that just gets me really excited and that's what I believe in.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Sturm played five seasons in Boston after arriving from San Jose as part of the Joe Thornton trade in 2005. 'I mean, it was not my fault, right?' Sturm said with a laugh of the swap that ended with Thornton winning the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (top scorer) that season. Advertisement 'But I got here, and it was difficult, I'm not going to lie. It was difficult because everyone loved Joe and it was a big trade, but I understood really quickly why it happened,' said Sturm. 'And also, we had guys in the locker room, they wanted them to lead. So, I saw that in Year 2, it was a little painful. It was not easy. I mean, as soon as you read the paper or social media or even you go on the street, people will let you know, but also it pushes you. And that's what I saw it the positive way.' Jim McBride can be reached at
