CONNECT!
  • PODCAST
  • ITUNES

SIGN UP FOR
OUR NEWS LETTER

MAKE A DONATION

DONATE

No. 90: Not Just a Line-Mate

By John Gianfrancesco

The Lightning probably have the best trio in hockey. Trio? Yes, not duo, but the best 3 to play on a line in hockey. Granted, Stamkos and Kucherov  are probably the best duo in hockey but their line mate Vladislav Namestnikov is proving he’s not just along for the ride.

Last season, Vladdy Namestnikov found himself playing first line minutes & 4th line center in the crazy season the Bolts had last year. In 74 games, Vladdy had 28 points. Nothing special about that and honestly a little disappointing considering its a 7 point decrease from the year before. Granted after the Stamkos injury everyones production, except Kucherov, took a hit as lines were jumbled and the Bolts never really found their groove. Still, being a first round pick, you want your highly touted players to prove their worth on the score sheet. Vladdy had yet to do so.

Selected 27th overall in the 2011 NHL draft, Yzerman saw a skilled Russian who grew up in Michigan and played in the OHL with the London Knights. More accustomed to the North American style of play, a few years in the AHL should see Vladdy transform into a top 6 player for the Bolts. In his first real action he played 43 games and tallied 16 points. He went down to the AHL in the same season and amassed 35 points in 34 games. In his first real season Vladdy played 80 games and got 35 points, his career high so far. Bolts fans weren’t really sure what to expect from number 90.

A fast and hard nosed player, he possesses great hands and is stronger than his 5’11 180 pound frame shows you. Often looking to pass more than shoot, Vladdys season high in goals is 14. A projected 1st liner with 1st line skill performing as a 3rd line wonder, Bolts fans loved Vladdy but wanted more. Well Bolts fans, good news. Actually, great news!

This past offseason Vladdy found success playing with Lightning teammate and offensive superstar Nikita Kucherov with Team Russia in the World Championships. With a recovered Stamkos set to return, this foreshadowed the Lightnings top line heading into the season. Without a doubt, 90-91-86 would suit up October 6th as the Bolts first line and would never change halfway through November.

Vladdy has played all 18 games with his top line team mates and has tallied 19 points. 9 goals in 18 games this year is one shy of his total goal tally from all of last year with 10 in 74 games. Vladdy is already more than halfway to eclipsing his point total of last season (28) and he hasn’t even played 20 games yet this year. Playing on the same line as Kucherov and Stamkos it would be hard for someone to not find success but Vladdy is showing he is part of the success, not just mooching off it. 7 power play points already is his career high and 1 more than last year is also the case for his power play goals. Usually in front of the net, Vladdy can either dish it or finish it as he and his line mates compose the best line in hockey and a Top 3 power play unit.

19 points may seem mediocre compared to Stamkos (31) and Kucherov (30) but Vladdy has caught fire of late. Riding a 4 game point streak and a 3 game goal scoring streak, Vladdy earned star of the week honors from NHL Network. Arguably the Bolts best player on this California road trip, Vladdy helped the Bolts sweep the Golden State with 4 goals & 1 assist for 5 points in 3 games. Vladdy is reaching an offensive caliber I’m sure is surprising Tampa fans and himself. Always showing flashes of superstar skill, Vladdy is doing all the little things right and is finding his groove playing alongside 2 of the best players in the NHL today. Only 4 games held off the stat sheet, Vladdy is proving he deserves first line minutes with his production and praise from Kucherov and Stamkos. This line is hot and don’t look for them to cool down anytime soon.

Not to be lost in the success, this is also a contract year for Vladdy. An RFA after this season, there’s no doubt Yzerman will want to resign his former 1st round pick and keep this top line together for as long as he can. On pace to set career highs in basically everything, Vladdy should see a raise from his current $1,937,500 cap hit. Only on Yzermans terms though.

Prediction:

Vladislav Namestnikov finishes the season with 22 goals, 38 assists for 60 points.

Vladdy signs a 4 year, $16.8M extension (4.2M aav) w/ the Tampa Bay Lightning.


PICK A TEAM

chigago blackhawks

Chi-Town Hawks

anaheim ducks

Ducks N Pucks

boston bruins

Bruin Strong

carolina hurricanes

Carolina Caniacs

colorado avalanche

Denver Avs

arizona coyotes

Coyotes Howl

Buffalo sabres

Sabres Den

columbus blue jackets

Blue Jacket Army

dallas stars

Shootout Stars

calgary flames

Fierce Flames

detroit red wings

Red Wings Town

new york islanders

Long island Pucks

minnesota wild

Rink Wild

edmonton oilers

Ice Oilers

florida panthers

Roaring Panthers

new york rangers

Fighting Rangers

nashville predators

Preds N Pucks

los angeles kings

LA Royalty

montreal canadiens

Hockey Habs

new jersey devils

Puck Devils

st.louis blues

Break Away Blues

san jose sharks

Bay Sharks

ottawa senators

Slap Shot Sens

philadelphia flyers

Furious Flyers

winnipeg jets

High Flying Jets

vancouver canucks

Canucks N Pucks

tampa bay lightning

Bay Bolts

pittsburgh

Pens N Pucks

toronto maple Leafs

Just Leafs

washington capitals

Capital Pucks