It wasn’t long ago in the schedule that new Detroit Red Wings forward Bobby Ryan was lighting the lamp for the first time since donning the Winged Wheel. And now, it’s Vladislav Namestnikov‘s turn.
The Russian forward tallied his first goal as a member of the Red Wings against the Dallas Stars, shortly after his team killed a penalty. His backhand shot from the low circle beat goaltender Anton Khudobin through the five-hole:
Vladislav Namestnikov gets his first goal for the #RedWings this season and the #Stars trail for the first time. 1-0 Detroit. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/X1R1DQqxxh
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 27, 2021
Forwards Taro Hirose and Givani Smith, just called up from the team taxi squad, picked up the assists.
Namestnikov is the nephew of former Red Wings forward and Russian 5 member Slava Kozlov, and was signed by his former GM in Tampa Bay Steve Yzerman this summer.
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Detroit Red Wings forward Bobby Ryan is looking every bit like the goal-scoring forward he was known as earlier in his career, and his signing has paid immediate dividends for a team in need of more offensive firepower.
Ryan, who made Red Wings team history during Tuesday night’s win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, has turned back the clock with his new teammates. His four goals in three games is tied for first in the NHL so far in the young season.
And while he won’t hit the 70 goal mark that he’s currently on pace for (we can dream, right?), his incredible comeback story continues to be written.
He took a leave of absence from the Ottawa Senators last season in order to deal with personal issues stemming from alcohol abuse. But he completed his recovery, and scored a hat trick for good measure with Ottawa in his first game back. He was later awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance.
And after signing a one-year deal with Detroit after his contract was bought out this summer by Ottawa, his start to this campaign has made him among the more shrewd acquisitions by GM Steve Yzerman.
