Vladislav Namestnikov News

Namestnikov, 22, has registered 35 points (14G / 21A) in 34 games with Syracuse this season. He will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Maple Leafs—the 2011 first-round pick has seven points (3G / 4A) in 26 games with the Lightning.

Namestnikov played 9:51 with one shot on goal last night vs. St. Louis. His return to the AHL suggests that Cedric Paquette should be ready to return on Sunday.

Namestnikov, 22, was with the Lightning earlier in the season, registering three goals and four assists (7 points) in 25 games. While in Syracuse he had 24 points (9G / 15A) in 26 games. There is no word whether he will be in the lineup on Thursday.

Namestnikov had one shot on goal in two games during his recall. With Tyler Johnson back from injury, he has been squeezed back to the minors.

The Lightning lost their leading scorer Tyler Johnson to a lower-body injury last night, so Namestnikov is being recalled to play for Johnson if he is unable to go. The 22-year-old forward had seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games with the Lightning before being sent down. Since being sent down he has registered 17 points (7G / 10A) in 16 games with Syracuse.

Namestnikov, 22, has skated in 23 games with the Lightning this season, posting three goals and seven points to go along with four penalty minutes. He recorded his first career NHL goal and assist on October 13 against the Montreal Canadiens. Namestnikov has played in 27 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over the past two seasons.

Namestnikov was a minus-1 with four shots while averaging 9:28 TOI in four games with the Lightning during call-up. Getting Steven Stamkos back and shipping Martin St. Louis out, the Lightning send Namestnikov (a centre) down to recall a winger (Richard Panik) up.

Namestnikov was the Lightning's 1st round pick (27th overall) in 2011. Tonight he will make his NHL debut on a line with J.T Brown and Nikita Kucherov, a line that played very well for Lightning head coach Jon Cooper when he was with Syracuse (AHL). Namestnikov has 13 goals and 17 assists (30 points) in 31 games with Syracuse (AHL) this season.

Namestnikov likely contends for a roster spot during next season's training camp. The Russian expatriate scored 22 goals and 70 points in 60 games with the London Knights of the OHL.