A cheap pick-up for Pierre Dorion during the early days of the 2019-20 season, Vlad Namestnikov proved to be a handy player. Like many Senators wingers this season, he saw ice-time in many different situations, and with a rotating cast of linemates.
Vladislav Namestnikov (to Colorado for a 4th) provides a fair bit of good 5v5 defence. pic.twitter.com/fRNbewbS3s
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 24, 2020
Namestnikov provides a lot of defensive value at even strength and was one of the better Senators forwards in the regard during the season. He’s shown a scoring touch when playing with a solid cast of linemates, with a couple of decent seasons under his belt in Tampa Bay and New York.
At 27 years old, Namestnikov likely will never drive offence at 5v5, or be more than a 30 point player. However, adding some decent options available to play in the bottom-six next season should be on Pierre Dorion’s off-season checklist.
The priority for the coaching staff next season should be to give the team’s young stars as much experience as possible in the top half of the line-up, and big situations. A player like Namestnikov would be handy to have in that regard, as someone who the coaching staff already trusts, and can use to give young players a rest.
As long as he’s available, and the Ottawa Senators know what he’s capable of, they should at least gauge his interest in returning. Worst comes to worst, the Senators could always bring him back and flip him again at the deadline. No risk here.