Jets’ Namestnikov suiting up in 800th NHL game

Winnipeg Jets forward Vlad Namestnikov celebrates a milestone when his team battles the San Joe Sharks. Daniel Halmarson reports.

Friday marks a major milestone for Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov.

He’s playing in his 800th NHL regular-season game as the Jets’ six-game road trip continues in San Jose.

“You adjust to the league, you adjust to what’s needed,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said of the milestone. “The guys that play a long time are the ones that are able to adapt.”

The Russian forward was drafted 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011 and has racked up 343 points while suiting up for seven different teams.

“Obviously, the superstars go about their business and do what they do every night,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel told reporters Thursday. “But it’s those other guys—guys like Vladdy—that recognize, ‘What do I need to do to stay in the lineup? What do I need to do to get my 15,16, 17 minutes a night? And can I contribute any way I can?’”

Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo played with Namestnikov in Ottawa earlier in their careers and describes his teammate as a true professional who plays detailed, smart hockey.

“He’s a great guy off the ice too,” DeMelo said. “You guys might know him in a more quiet way, but we get to see him a little bit more outside of everything. He’s a fun guy to be around and he’s really fit in our group on and off the ice.”

The Jets acquired Namestnikov from San Jose at the 2023 trade deadline—just two days after he joined the Sharks in a trade with Tampa Bay.

Namestnikov’s reliability and two-way play have helped the journeyman carve out a solid NHL career—and his versatility has made him a mainstay on the Jets. He’s slid up and down the Jets lineup in 189 games with the team while also contributing on special teams.

“I came in as a centreman and didn’t really know the defensive side of the game well,” Namestnikov said on Thursday. “Over the years, I kind of got put in those positions to defend first. And I think that helped me along the way and now I can play any role, any position.”

Now, Namestnikov’s finding success on the Jets’ veteran-heavy second line with Jonathan Toews and Alex Iafallo. He’s buried six goals and added an assist on the season, primarily skating on the left wing.

“It takes a couple of games to kind of learn all the routes that wingers do instead of centres,” Namestnikov explained. “But the way our systems are built—we interchange so much—it’s kind of the same thing.”

The Jets are hoping the second line—and the rest of the offence, for that matter—clicks on Friday against the Sharks.

Winnipeg opened the road trip on Tuesday with a 3-0 shutout loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

They’re facing a San Jose club led by sophomore stud Macklin Celebrini, who is tied for first in the league with 21 points so far.

“They’re a bit younger, kind of like a run ‘n gun team,” Namestnikov said. “Lots of offence, so nothing really changes in our preparation. We know what we need to do, how to defend and then just go from there.”

Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start in net for the 9-4-0 Jets.

Puck drop from San Jose is slated for 9 p.m. Central.