Breaking News: Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks make a trade
Moments ago, new broke that the Winnipeg Jets have acquired forward Vladislav Namestnikov from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in 2025.
Namestnikov has struggled greatly this season on a loaded offensive team, and being a 30-year old pending UFA owed $2.25M, is likely a pure rental for the Jets. With only 6 goals and 15 points in 57 games, the Jets will be hoping he can increase his production in a depth scoring role in the playoffs.
On the other side of this deal, Sharks GM Mike Grier is making his first significant moves since taking over the job, and the direction is unclear. The Sharks only acquired Namestnikov days ago in exchange for Michael Eyssimont, an internally developed player who had been succeeding in the top six of a struggling team. Grier was essentially able to flip Eyssimont for a fourth round pick with this Namestnikov trade, but you wonder if Eyssimont wasn't worth more than that.
Hopefully, the addition of Namestnikov in the immediate future will strengthen the Jets bottom six, as they look to regain momentum after a harsh losing streak entering the playoffs.
