Vladislav Namestnikov Bio
Vladislav Yevgenievich Namestnikov is a Russian professional ice hockey centre for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he has built a journeyman career across multiple franchises over more than a decade in North America’s top league. A dependable two-way forward, Namestnikov has also represented Russia internationally, including at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 181 pounds, Namestnikov shoots left and plays a versatile middle-six role. He is the son of former NHL forward Evgeny Namestnikov and the nephew of longtime NHL winger Vyacheslav Kozlov, giving him one of the more decorated hockey pedigrees among active Russian players.
Early Life and Background
Vladislav Yevgenievich Namestnikov was born on 22 November 1992 in Voskresensk, Russia, a small industrial city long associated with Soviet hockey through the Khimik Voskresensk program. Although he was born in Russia, his family relocated to the United States when he was just eight months old, settling in Michigan.
When Vladislav turned eight, the family returned to Voskresensk so he could sharpen his hockey skills in a more competitive Russian environment. He eventually played in the Vysshaya Liga, Russia’s second-tier professional league, with Khimik Voskresensk at the age of 16, signaling his rapid development as a young prospect.
Hockey runs deep in the Namestnikov family. His father, Evgeny Namestnikov, was a professional player who suited up for the Vancouver Canucks and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, and later played for the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League (AHL). Vladislav’s brother, Max Namestnikov, has played college hockey for the Bemidji State Beavers of the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference.
Path to Hockey
After developing in Russia, Namestnikov moved to North America and was selected 20th overall by the London Knights in the 2010 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Entry Draft. He was also picked 11th overall by Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) draft, but he ultimately chose London, explaining that he did not want to play professionally in Russia at that stage.
In his first OHL season with the London Knights in 2010–11, Namestnikov scored 68 points in 68 games and was widely rated as one of the top players available for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the first round, 27th overall. On 13 March 2012, the Lightning signed him to a three-year entry-level contract, and he continued to develop with London, posting 22 goals and 70 points in 60 games the following season.
Vladislav Namestnikov Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Following the 2012 NHL lockout, the Lightning assigned Namestnikov to their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, for the 2012–13 season. He spent the year adjusting to the professional game and finished the campaign playing in the Calder Cup Final, where the Crunch fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins in six games.
On 7 February 2014, Tampa Bay recalled Namestnikov from Syracuse, where he had been leading the team in assists and points. He made his NHL debut on 8 February 2014, logging nearly 12 minutes of ice time in a 4–2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. After a brief four-game stint without a point, he was reassigned to Syracuse, where he quickly regained his scoring touch and represented the Eastern Conference at the 2015 AHL All-Star Game.
Tampa Bay Lightning Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Namestnikov made Tampa Bay’s opening-night roster to begin the 2014–15 season and quickly delivered. On 13 October 2014, he registered his first NHL point, an assist on a Victor Hedman goal, and soon scored his first NHL goal in a 7–1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. He added his first career game-winning goal on 24 October against the Winnipeg Jets.
After a brief demotion to Syracuse in December 2014, Namestnikov returned in March 2015 and made Tampa Bay’s playoff roster. In 43 NHL games that season, he posted career highs of nine goals and 16 points, then appeared in 12 Stanley Cup playoff games. On 15 January 2016, he recorded his first NHL hat-trick in a 5–4 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and on 3 May 2016, he notched his first playoff goal in another overtime win over the New York Islanders. He signed a two-year, $3.875 million extension in the summer of 2016.
On 26 February 2018, the Lightning traded Namestnikov to the New York Rangers as part of the deal that brought Ryan McDonagh and J. T. Miller to Tampa Bay. The Rangers quickly signed him to a two-year extension on 1 July 2018.
Journeyman Years (2019–2023)
After two scoreless games to open 2019–20, Namestnikov was traded to the Ottawa Senators on 7 October 2019. He responded with an assist in his debut against the St. Louis Blues and then produced two goals and an assist against his former Lightning club in a 4–2 Senators win on 12 October 2019. He finished with 13 goals and 25 points in 54 games for Ottawa before being dealt at the 2019–20 trade deadline to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2021 fourth-round pick on 24 February 2020.
On 11 October 2020, Namestnikov signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He was later traded by Detroit to the Dallas Stars on 21 March 2022 in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick. After becoming a free agent, he returned to his original draft club, signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning on 13 July 2022.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2023–Present)
On 1 March 2023, the Lightning traded Namestnikov to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mikey Eyssimont. Two days later, the Sharks flipped him to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2025 fourth-round pick. The Jets quickly integrated him into their forward group, and on 22 February 2025, they signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract extension that runs through the 2026–27 season, with an average annual value of $3 million.
Driving Style and Strengths
Namestnikov is a reliable, defence-aware centre who excels in a bottom-six or third-line role while still offering offensive upside. He reads the game well off the puck, kills penalties effectively, and can chip in on the power play when deployed there. His combination of skating, hockey IQ and faceoff reliability has made him a steady presence for coaches throughout his NHL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his first NHL goal and game-winning goal in October 2014, his first hat-trick against the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2016, and his first playoff goal in May 2016. He has now played for seven different NHL organizations, and his 2025 contract extension with Winnipeg signals long-term stability after years of frequent movement.
Vladislav Namestnikov Career Wins
Vladislav Namestnikov has accumulated a steady record of contributions across the NHL and AHL rather than headline-winning trophy totals. His most celebrated international result is a bronze medal with Russia at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
NHL Highlights
Namestnikov has produced career-high seasons of nine goals and 16 points during 2014–15 with Tampa Bay and 13 goals and 25 points during 2019–20 split between the Rangers and Senators. His first NHL hat-trick came against the Pittsburgh Penguins on 15 January 2016, and his first career game-winning goal came on 24 October 2014 against the Winnipeg Jets.
Other Wins and Performances
In junior hockey, Namestnikov was a first-round OHL pick and posted back-to-back 60-plus-point seasons with the London Knights. In the AHL, he helped Syracuse reach the Calder Cup Final in 2012–13 and represented the Eastern Conference at the 2015 AHL All-Star Game. Internationally, he helped Russia capture a bronze medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship with a win over Finland.
Vladislav Namestnikov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey is woven through the Namestnikov family. His father, Evgeny Namestnikov, played for the Vancouver Canucks and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and also appeared for the Syracuse Crunch. His maternal uncle, Vyacheslav Kozlov, is a former NHL star who played more than 1,000 games with the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Atlanta Thrashers. Another uncle, Ivan Novoseltsev, played more than five NHL seasons, and his brother Max has competed at the college level for Bemidji State.
Personal Life
Although born in Voskresensk, Russia, Namestnikov moved to the United States as an infant and grew up in Michigan, where he still resides. His family returned to Russia for several years of his childhood so he could train in a competitive hockey environment, and he now lives year-round in Michigan.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NHL season, Namestnikov enters his third full campaign with the Winnipeg Jets on the heels of a two-year, $6 million extension signed on 22 February 2025. He remains a trusted bottom-six centre and penalty-killing option for the Jets, valued for his experience and reliability in tight games.
The Jets have built their identity around structure, speed and depth, areas where Namestnikov fits comfortably. He is expected to log regular shifts on the third line and contribute on the penalty kill, while providing secondary scoring when his linemates generate chances. His familiarity with the system after two seasons in Winnipeg should help him produce a steady offensive contribution.
With Winnipeg aiming to remain a Western Conference contender, Namestnikov’s role as a stabilizing veteran presence will be central to the team’s push for another deep playoff run in 2025.
