Avoiding his arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Friday, the Bolts retain Namestnikov.
The Lightning and center Vladislav Namestnikov have agreed to a two year contract at an average annual value of $1.9375M. The signing leaves Nikita Kucherov and Nikita Nesterov as the only remaining Lightning players needing contracts. Namestnikov's role with the team fluctuated last season playing as high as the first line and as low as the fourth line at different points in the season.
Namestnikov has shown the ability to be a top six forward. He spent several weeks early in the year centering a line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on his wing.