The Detroit Red Wings have remained busy in free agency, with Russian-born forward Vladislav Namestnikov the latest name to be brought to the Motor City by GM Steve Yzerman.
During the 2019-20 regular season, Yzerman also made one of the most underrated deals in the NHL, trading for former St. Louis Blues forward Robby Fabbri in exchange for checking forward Jacob de la Rose. Fabbri resurrected his career with the Red Wings and was rewarded with a two year contract extension earlier this offseason.
Fabbri and Namestnikov are now teammates with one another, but let’s throw it back to 2016 when they weren’t on such good terms when they dropped the gloves:
Who do you think got the better of that exchange? I wonder if they’ll discuss it!
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Vladislav Namestnikov describes excitement over joining Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings added to their free-agency haul, inking forward Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year contract.
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Originally drafted by Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011, Namestnikov already has a prior connection to his new team. His uncle on his mother’s side of the family just so happens to be former Russian Five forward Slava Kozlov, who was a key member of the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup winning squads.
When Yzerman called to offer him a new deal, it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.
“I’ve known him for a long time,” Namestnikov said of Yzerman. “He drafted me in Tampa, and definitely helps when you’re familiar with the GM. That came into play when I made my decision and I’m happy it worked out here.”
