Namestnikov a valuable and versatile ‘chameleon’ for Jets

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This article was published 24/10/2024 (391 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SEATTLE — By definition, some might say Vladislav Namestnikov falls into the category of journeyman.

The versatile forward has suited up for seven different NHL organizations — including one he played for twice — and was involved in a deal to an eighth team, though he didn’t have time to suit up with them before he was traded again just prior to the deadline in 2022.

That trade with the San Jose Sharks that brought Namestnikov to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick has turned out to be an incredible value for general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, especially after he signed a two-year contract with the Jets on July 1 of 2023.

Namestnikov, who turns 32 next month, isn’t just a capable player, he’s proven to be an important cog in the machine.

Namestnikov’s ability to move up and down the lineup has been well-documented, but it’s his demeanour and attitude that have allowed him to grow into such an important complementary piece of the puzzle.

“That goes back to his hockey sense and versatility. He’s kind of a chameleon in that he can fit that style of whoever he’s playing with,” Jets captain Adam Lowry said on Thursday before the game against the Seattle Kraken that was ongoing at press time. “He’s so good at reading off of his teammates and understanding how they want to accomplish their offence.

“If you look at the big picture of playing in Winnipeg, whatever line he’s been on, they’ve had solid success and that just speaks volumes to how adaptable he is. He’s a quality player and he’s really easy to play with.”

Namestnikov was under the microscope coming into the season after the departure of Sean Monahan in free agency to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

There was a young prospect in Brad Lambert trying to win the job as the second scoring-line centre, but Namestnikov just showed up for work at training camp and cemented his spot.

Trying to win his job back wasn’t a motivating factor for him.

When you’ve been around the block the way Namestnikov has, spending time looking over your shoulder about who might be coming isn’t a way to get the best out of yourself.

Ultimately, your standing on the depth chart will be what it will be.

“I wasn’t really thinking about much about what was going to happen. I was just trying to get ready for the season,” said Namestnikov, noting he stays away from social media. “I was going in with an open mindset.”

Namestnikov had a quiet opening three games with linemates Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti at even strength, but an offensive outburst against the San Jose Sharks included a four-point outing for both Namestnikov and Perfetti and a three-point showing for Ehlers.

Namestnikov followed that up with an assist on the tying goal from Kyle Connor on Tuesday, so he’s up to two goals and five points in six games.

That helped quiet some of the critics who were wondering about whether or not Namestnikov can supply enough offence on that second scoring line — a job he held for a good chunk of last season before Monahan’s arrival.

“It’s a privilege and an honour to be put in that position. I’ve got to work hard every day to prove that I can play in that position,” said Namestnikov, who played his 715th NHL game on Thursday night. “What I pride my game on is that I can do many different things. Last year, we made some good moves and things got shuffled around. You have to accept it and accept the role you’re given at the time. That’s what successful teams are built on.”

Given who he’s playing with, Namestnikov is going to be counted on offensively, though he does a lot of the difficult things that don’t always get noted on the score sheet.

Lowry said Namestnikov reminds him a lot of former linemate Andrew Copp, who played the role of the Swiss Army knife frequently with the Jets before he was traded to the New York Rangers in 2022.

“He plays centre, he can play the wing and you can put him anywhere in the lineup and he complements them really well and the line does really well,” said Lowry. “He’s one of those guys that may be underappreciated around the league, just because he’s such a quiet guy. He’s one of those guys that has really good puck skills, he’s so patient with it and he’s unbelievable at transporting the puck through the neutral zone. He can knife through traffic and he’s comfortable with guys on him when making those plays.”

Originally chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, 27th overall, in the 2011 NHL Draft, Namestnikov is a ferocious forechecker and can also play a puck possession game.

There’s also a physical element that Namestnikov brings to the game and that willingness to get involved and mix it up in scrums is another quality that endears him to the coaching staff and his teammates.

“He’s a do-it-all type of player, we use him in different situations,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “He’s responsible in our end of the rink without the puck. He’s a smart guy that’s been around the league and he knows what it takes to play in different roles.

“He’s one of those sneaky dirty guys. He’s not afraid to whack guys (with this stick) and take shots at guys. He’s not afraid of that part of it and he’s hard to play against.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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