Within 48 hours of acquiring Vladislav Namestnikov from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the San Jose Sharks announced they have dealt Namestnikov to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick. In this trade, the Sharks pick up a future asset while the Jets get a depth forward.
The #SJSharks have traded Vladislav Namestnikov to Winnipeg for a 2025 fourth-round selection.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 3, 2023
Vladislav Namestnikov Traded to the Winnipeg Jets
Vladislav Namestnikov is on the move again. After acquiring the 30-year-old centre on Wednesday, the Sharks decided to flip him to Winnipeg for a future draft pick. Namestnikov is a versatile forward, but his strength lies more on the defensive side of the game. A previous first-round pick of the Lightning, Namestnikov has bounced around the NHL over the last 11 seasons. His best offensive season came in 2017-18 when he put up 20 goals and 44 points. He has never replicated that production and currently has six goals and nine assists.
What This Means Moving Forward
This move provides some depth and versatility to the Jets. While primarily a centre, Vladislav Namestnikov can also play on either wing. He has many years of NHL experience and is effective defensively. If he can chip in a few goals, he could be a decent depth pickup for the Jets. In the final year of a one-year contract, Namestnikov will most likely be a rental for the Jets as they push forward looking towards the playoffs. They could always look to bring him back at an affordable price for depth though.
Meanwhile, the Sharks continue to stock up future assets as they march through their rebuild. Flipping Namestnikov made sense for them in their current state and even though it’s not a major return it is another asset the Sharks can add to their basket.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
