Latest news with #VladislavNamestnikov
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Lightning Forward Shines In Must-Win Game For New Team
The Winnipeg Jets avoided elimination with their 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the second round. One player the Jets certainly should be thanking for that is former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canucks: Nikolaj Ehlers' scoring stock rises as possible replacement for Brock Boeser
Nikolaj Ehlers believes he's a first-line NHL player. The speedy and quick-striking Winnipeg Jets winger proved that point by letting his play do the talking in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs on a second line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti. The unrestricted free agent also silenced his critics, who had every right to wonder if Ehlers could produce when it mattered most with just 14 career playoff points in 37 games. He responded this spring by striking for five goals in his last five games of the second round. While the pain of a 2-1 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday that kept the Jets from forcing Game 7 home ice in the riveting series will persist, it will eventually subside for Ehlers. And when it does, the reality of his value and options will come into greater focus. Ehlers, 29, will top a lot of wish lists for a winger would can play at heightened pace, drive the play and finish. The Vancouver Canucks, who had past interest, will be among the suitors because UFA Brock Boeser is going to test the market and there's a sizable top-six roster hole here to fill. Ehlers had a career-high 63 points (24-39) in 69 games this season and scored at least 20 goals in eight-straight campaigns. However, he has also been injury prone and that has kept him from being that consistent 30-goal guy. He had 28 goals in just 62 games in 2021-22 and 29 in a full season in 2017-18. Ehlers' expiring salary cap commitment is $6 million annually and predicts a bump to $8.1 million in a six-year deal. Of course, his production takes us back to another curious Canucks draft decision in 2014. They selected Jake Virtanen sixth overall and passed on William Nylander (eighth) and Ehlers (ninth). And when Ehlers had 25 goals in his second season, and then 29 in his third, the Canucks took notice. Virtanen would struggle before hitting a career-high 18 goals in 2019-20. This was a Province critique when the Canucks committed to the winger: 'They added size and a budding power forward from Calgary (WHL). Aside from shoulder surgery, he's pure power and speed and those 45 goals (2013-14) look pretty good right now on a team starving for offence. Ranked first in physical play among North American prospects. Huge upside. Hopefully.' With the Canucks ranked 23rd offensively this season, they not only require bouncebacks from Nils Hoglander and Dakota Joshua, they need another scoring threat. Remove UFAs Boeser and Pius Suter, who had 25 goals apiece, and it's team leader Jake DeBrusk (28) as the lone 20-goal guy. Conor Garland and Kiefer Sherwood had 19 apiece. The Canucks were also tied for a league-high 14 overtime losses this season and winning half would have vaulted them into the second Western Conference wild-card position. They were also 3-20-5 when trailing after two periods. The Canucks must also trade for a quality centre to support the struggling Elias Pettersson and concussion-prone Fillip Chytil. They have the assets with the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and plenty of defencemen, but landing a scoring winger will be about dollars and sense. Boeser, who had 50 points in 75 games this season on an expiring $6.65 million salary cap hit, turned down a five-year, US$40 million extension offer. He could receive more term and money July 1, and according to CapWages, that could be six years at $8.45 million in annual average value. Boeser could also pivot back to the Canucks, but that seems unlikely with odd management optics of his value at the trade deadline. Boeser's career output compares favourably to Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny, 28, who signed an eight-year, $70 million extension last July that carries an $8.75 million annual cap hit. Even though the salary cap ceiling is rising from $88 million to $95.5 million next season, the Canucks are still saddled by paying those who aren't playing, including the Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout that jumps to $4,766,667. Add extensions for UFA defencemen Derek Forbort and Noah Juulsen — and possibly Suter, if the price is right — and it adds up fast. The versatile Suter is projected to cash in on a career season and a leap from an expiring two-year, $3.2 million deal to a four-year commitment worth $4.983 million annually on the open market. Factor in new deals for restricted free agents to play support roles here in forwards Aatu Raty, Max Sasson and Arshdeep Bains, and that cap space dwindles. According to the Canucks have 16 players signed and $17,558,333 in salary cap space. A scoring winger and support centre could easily eat up a big chunk of that room. Here are top free-agent options to wing it without Boeser, (all figures in US dollars): The stats: Had 24 goals in 69 games. Missed nine with foot injury. Aggravated it April 12. The skinny: The Canucks have kicked the tires before. Fast, feisty and a good finisher. The stats: Career-high 31 goals in 80 games while winging it with Connor Bedard. The skinny: Canucks scouted him in latter part of season. Versatile. Likely affordable. The stats: Had 22 goals in 81 games, second in club accuracy (15.4 per cent). The skinny: Versatile. Durable. Good size. Was also on Canucks' radar in the past. bkuzma@
National Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Canucks: Nikolaj Ehlers' scoring stock rises as possible replacement for Brock Boeser
Nikolaj Ehlers believes he's a first-line NHL player. Article content Article content The speedy and quick-striking Winnipeg Jets winger proved that point by letting his play do the talking in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs on a second line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti. The unrestricted free agent also silenced his critics, who had every right to wonder if Ehlers could produce when it mattered most with just 14 career playoff points in 37 games. He responded this spring by striking for five goals in his last five games of the second round. Article content Article content While the pain of a 2-1 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday that kept the Jets from forcing Game 7 home ice in the riveting series will persist, it will eventually subside for Ehlers. And when it does, the reality of his value and options will come into greater focus. Article content Ehlers, 29, will top a lot of wish lists for a winger would can play at heightened pace, drive the play and finish. The Vancouver Canucks, who had past interest, will be among the suitors because UFA Brock Boeser is going to test the market and there's a sizable top-six roster hole here to fill. Article content Ehlers had a career-high 63 points (24-39) in 69 games this season and scored at least 20 goals in eight-straight campaigns. However, he has also been injury prone and that has kept him from being that consistent 30-goal guy. He had 28 goals in just 62 games in 2021-22 and 29 in a full season in 2017-18. Article content Article content Of course, his production takes us back to another curious Canucks draft decision in 2014. They selected Jake Virtanen sixth overall and passed on William Nylander (eighth) and Ehlers (ninth). And when Ehlers had 25 goals in his second season, and then 29 in his third, the Canucks took notice. Article content Virtanen would struggle before hitting a career-high 18 goals in 2019-20. This was a Province critique when the Canucks committed to the winger: 'They added size and a budding power forward from Calgary (WHL). Aside from shoulder surgery, he's pure power and speed and those 45 goals (2013-14) look pretty good right now on a team starving for offence. Ranked first in physical play among North American prospects. Huge upside. Hopefully.' Article content With the Canucks ranked 23rd offensively this season, they not only require bouncebacks from Nils Hoglander and Dakota Joshua, they need another scoring threat. Remove UFAs Boeser and Pius Suter, who had 25 goals apiece, and it's team leader Jake DeBrusk (28) as the lone 20-goal guy. Conor Garland and Kiefer Sherwood had 19 apiece.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL Star Forced Into Sudden Retirement After Devastating Injury
The St. Louis Blues were one overtime period away from playing in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They entered Sunday's Game 7 against the Winnipeg Jets coming off a big 5-2 win to force the winner-take-all showdown at the Canada Life Centre. And when they began the third period of that game with a two-goal lead, they likely felt good about their chances of advancing. Advertisement However, a goal from Vladislav Namestnikov with two minutes left in regulation, and an improbable goal from Cole Perfetti with just three seconds left forced an extra period. Adam Lowry ended the Blues' season 16 minutes into the second overtime, forcing them to start their offseason early. And when general manager Doug Armstrong spoke with reporters on Wednesday during St. Louis' end-of-season press conference, he dropped quite a bombshell about one of his star players. St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug (47) and Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) battle for control of the puck during the second period at the American Airlines Miron-Imagn Images Armstrong revealed that defenseman Torey Krug is likely being forced to retire due to a severe ankle injury he suffered back in September that forced him to miss the entire season. Advertisement 'I'm not expecting him to play again,' Armstrong said. 'Now, he's hoping that I'm wrong, I'm hoping that I'm wrong and he's pushing, but the surgery that he had, it was very, very invasive. 'I don't really think there's much uncertainty with Torey. I talked to him. He was at the rink the other day. He's just getting almost normal, day-to-day living with his leg, his ankle.' Krug, a 34-year-old former All-Rookie Team selection, is five seasons into the seven-year, $45 million contract with the Blues back in 2021. He spent his first nine seasons with the Boston Bruins, who signed him as an undrafted free agent back in 2012. He was named one of the top 100 Best Bruins Players of all time, and he was the first player in franchise history to record four points in a single game in the Stanley Cup Final. Advertisement 'Thirty-three years old and when you miss a whole year of hockey, obviously those things (retirement) cross your mind,' Krug said in September. 'I don't want to look too far ahead, but those are things you definitely think about. … It's tough, but the mental side of it's just going to be just as tough as the physical side.' Related: Matthew Tkachuk Sparks Outrage After Mitch Marner Video Surfaces
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Pavel Buchnevich and Vladislav Namestnikov now face off in crucial game 6 of the Stanley Cup
Image Via Getty As the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs steamroll ahead, every shift, every pass, and every shot is becoming critical. With the St. Louis Blues set to host the Winnipeg Jets for Game 6, two names stand head and shoulders above the rest: St. Louis' Pavel Buchnevich and Winnipeg's Vladislav Namestnikov . Both forwards have found their stride, and both pose a game-changing opportunity for their respective teams in this very large contest. These difference-makers should become the focal point for any fantasy player and hockey fan! Pavel Buchnevich and Vladislav Namestnikov just made a whole other big blessed impact on game 6 Pavel Buchnevich has been "the man" for this series and the future. He showed great composure in tight moments offensively. He leads the Blues in scoring with three goals and points in four of five games played. He has impressed at home, scoring five points in two games in St. Louis, including a hat trick in Game 3. His chemistry with Robert Thomas has been electric—a total of 26 points combined from regular season and postseason matchups against Winnipeg. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Vietnam (Take A Look At The Prices) Container House Search Now Undo Buchnevich is also elite in the playoffs in high-impact parametric metrics. High-danger goals scored: tied for first. Our top shot speed at 91.31 mph puts him fifth. These advanced stats further reinforce his standing as not simply a top performer but a guy who is a constant threat offensively in high-pressure situations. On the other side of the crease, Vladislav Namestnikov has emerged as an x-factor in the late series for the Winnipeg Jets. Namestnikov was dropped to the first line after Mark Scheifele went down with an injury. Game 5 was not lost on him, as it produced his first goal and an assist in the series. In Game 5, he had the most shots on net, leading the Winnipeg team, and in Game 6 will again join Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi. On a good note for him, in Game 5, his ice-time clocked in at 17:15, the longest he had been on the ice for the series, indicating some trust from the coaches might be building. NHL EDGE statistics stay in the 84th percentile for offensive-zone time aspects of his game showing he does quite a bit to maintain pressure and create chances during these mature stints. With given responsibility and an improved scoreline, Namestnikov is well-armed to make a conclusive contribution. Also Read: St. Louis sees brighter days ahead for Canadiens As Game 6 approaches, Pavel Buchnevich and Vladislav Namestnikov occupy important positions in the playoff ambitions of their respective teams. Whether you watch for clutch performances or track fantasy stats, these two forwards are headed for high drama when things heat up in St. Louis.
