The Tampa Bay Lightning have made a significant move in the NHL offseason, trading forward Vlad Namestnikov to the San Jose Sharks. The Lightning will retain half of Namestnikov’s salary, making the deal that much sweeter for the Sharks. Namestnikov has been a reliable player for the Lightning since joining the team in 2014, but the team had to make a tough decision to move on from the forward. This article will discuss the details of the trade and its implications for both teams.
Vladislav Namestnikov Traded to San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have acquired Vladislav Namestnikov from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a conditional 2021 draft pick. This is the second trade the Sharks have made in the past week as they look to add some scoring depth to their lineup.
The Sharks were in need of a top-six forward and Namestnikov fills that role nicely. He is a versatile player who can play both center and wing, and he is coming off a career-high in points (43) last season. He also has a good two-way game and is capable of playing in all situations.
Namestnikov has been a key contributor for the Lightning since they acquired him from the New York Rangers in 2014. He has been a reliable and consistent player for them and will be a big loss for the Lightning.
The Lightning have retained half of Namestnikov’s salary in the trade, which is a good move for them as it helps them stay under the salary cap. It also shows that they are willing to part with a player they value in order to get something in return.
The Sharks are getting a talented player in Namestnikov and he should fit in well with the team’s style of play. He is a hard worker and is capable of playing in all situations. He will also be a valuable asset to the Sharks’ power play as he is a strong playmaker.
The Sharks are now in a better position to make a deep run in the playoffs and Namestnikov could be the missing piece they need to make it happen. He is a proven scorer and should be able to help the Sharks’ offense.
Overall, this is a good move by the Sharks as they get a talented player in Namestnikov without having to give up too much in return. The Lightning retain half of his salary, which helps them stay under the salary cap, and the Sharks get a player who can help them in their push for the Stanley Cup.
