Colorado Avalanche trade for Vladislav Namestnikov

The Colorado Avalanche have made the first trade of NHL Trade Deadline day as they acquire Vlad Namestnikv from the Ottawa Senators for a 4th round pick in 2021. Namestnikov has 13 goals and 25 points in 54 games with the Ottawa Senators this season.

With the ability to play both wing and center, Namestnikov will slot into the middle-6 for the Avalanche as a player that can move all around the lineup as the team deals with a number of injuries to their forward group. He will provide a little bit of an offensive punch while being able to play on the second power play unit. He is little more than a replacement level defensive forward but plays with the type of speed that will fit in well with the style of the Avalanche.

His 5v5 defensive number aren’t great but Namestnikov is tied for the NHL lead in short-handed goals (4) and points (6). He will likely slot into Colorado’s struggling penalty kill group.

Joe Sakic tried to acquire Namestnikov at last year’s deadline, but was unable to pay the price asked by the New York Rangers. The 27 year old will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season so this move will likely be a pure rental for the Avs.

This is the first move in a day that many expect to be busy for the Avalanche. Tyson Jost is expected to be on his way out of Denver later today, so Namestnikov will fill the role that is currently occupied by Jost.