Tampa Bay Lightning Year In Review: Vladislav Namestnikov
Before the eyes of all in the Bolts Nation permanently make their shift to the 2016-17 season, let’s take one final look at the 2015-16 season of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov.
There are some players that wait their entire careers before getting their opportunity to shine and truly make a name for themselves in the National Hockey League. Then, there are players who you just know from the very first time you lay eyes on them they are destined to be a superstar. When it comes to the latter kind of player, one player’s name that comes to mind for us is Tampa Bay Lightning center Vladislav Namestnikov.
From the moment Namestnikov made his way to the Bolts Nation back in 2011, we just knew he was destined for great things. Even my then-83-year-old Grandfather knew just by watching him on the ice and looking deeper into his junior career that he had what it takes to make it in the big leagues. Vladdy’s speed and puck handling skills quickly set him apart from the rest.
Vladislav Namestnikov made his NHL debut on February 8, 2014, right here in the Sunshine State as the Tampa Bay Lightning took on the Detroit Red Wings; a game in which the Lightning would emerge victoriously 4-2. Vladdy would only play in four games that season with the Bolts, and while he may not have made his way onto the scoresheet in those four games, he certainly made an impact on the team.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The following season, Namestnikov would play in 43 games with the Lightning where he would score nine goals and seven assists for a total of 16 points. Little did we know the following season we would find his name listed amongst some of the heaviest hitters on the team.
The 2015-16 season was Vladislav Namestnikov’ first full season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vladdy played in all but two of the Lightning’s regular season games last season. In that amount of time, Namestnikov would score 14 goals and 21 assists for a grand total of 35 points. As you can imagine, this was a career high for the 23-year-old Russian forward.
While Namestnikov may not have had the kind of stellar season had by players like Nikita Kucherov, his contributions to the Lightning’s scoresheet didn’t end along with the regular season. In the 17 postseason games the Tampa Bay Lightning played last season, Namestnikov scored one goal and two assists for a total of three points.
Below is a look at one of Vladdy’s finer moments of the 2015-16 season. On January 15th, the Tampa Bay Lightning would play host to captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. We know…we cringe when we hear those names as well. It was then that Vladislav Namestnikov would register his first career hat trick and helped lead the Lightning to a 5-4 overtime victory over the Pens.
At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, Vladislav Namestnikov was set to become a Restricted Free Agent. As you can imagine, his performance over the course of the season provided a good reason why he would be looking for a marginal bump in the salary department.
Last season, the Russian forward was pulling in around $874,125. Thankfully, with all the cap issues the Tampa Bay Lightning are dealing with right now, Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman was able to secure Namestnikov with a two-year contract extension. In his new deal, Namestnikov would be pulling in an average annual value of $1,937,500.
It will definitely be interesting to see what Vladislav Namestnikov has in store for Tampa Bay Lightning fans in the 2016-17 season. Each season that has come to pass, he has achieved greater heights. We would expect nothing less in the coming season; especially given his innate talents.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning Year In Review: Steven Stamkos
Right now, we are just 69 days away from the first official puck drop of the 2016-17 season. Before you know it, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be back on the ice fighting for another chance to play for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Given the cohesiveness and desire to win we have seen from our Boys in Blue, we have a pretty good feeling fans are going to be in for a heck of a rollercoaster ride.