On February 26th, the Rangers traded captain Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition to getting Tampa Bay’s 2018 first round pick, the Rangers also acquired Vladislav Namestnikov.
Namestnikov spent this season on a line with Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, two of the best players in the NHL this year. He is posting career highs in all statistical categories this season but has been in the league for a few years now.
Namestnikov’s father Evgeny played in the NHL with the Canucks, Islanders, and Predators. His uncle Vyacheslav “Slava” Kozlov played in the NHL as well, winning two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.