The Winnipeg Jets have acquired Vladislav Namestnikov from the San Jose Sharks for a 2025 fourth-round pick, just one day after Namestnikov was traded to the Sharks from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
As far as sure things go, Namestnikov being moved on deadline day is creeping up there beside death and taxes. This swap marks the fourth time the 30-year-old Russian has been moved as part of the annual swap frenzy, meaning he and former Washington Capital Alan May now share the record for having been dealt the most times on deadline day. Namestnikov was previously moved on deadline day 2022, 2020 and 2018.
The left winger has 29 games’ worth of playoff experience with the team that drafted him 27th overall in 2011, Tampa Bay, from the Lightning’s pre-championship days. Last spring, Namestikov averaged over 14 minutes a night for the Dallas Stars club that lost a tight seven-game, first-round series to the Calgary Flames. He had 15 points in 57 contests for the Bolts this season.
Namestknikov is the second forward picked up by the Jets during deadline season after Winnipeg grabbed middle-six winger Nino Niederreiter from the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Namestnikov is likely to slot in on the Jets’ fourth trio, providing some forward depth for a team that needs to change its fortunes fast. Winnipeg has one win in its past seven outings and is 6-10-1 since late January as it slides down the Western Conference standings.