Namestnikov, 29, skated in 60 games with the Red Wings this season, recording 25 points (13-12-25), 34 penalty minutes and a plus-one rating. The 6-foot, 180-pound center was signed by the Red Wings prior to the 2020-21 season and recorded 42 points (21-21-42) and 58 penalty minutes in 113 appearances over the last two seasons with Detroit. Originally drafted in the first round (27th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Namestnikov has totaled 538 NHL games between the Lightning, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche and Red Wings, racking up 231 points (104-127-231) and 285 penalty minutes. He also skated in 134 American Hockey League games with the Syracuse Crunch, recording 104 points (40-64-104) and 84 penalty minutes and making the 2015 AHL All-Star Game. Prior to turning professional, Namestnikov posted 139 points (52-87-139), a plus-27 rating and 99 penalty minutes in 131 games with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights, winning an OHL championship in 2012. Born in Zhukovskiy, Russia, Namestnikov has represented Russia at multiple international tournaments, most notably winning a bronze medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship after picking up six points (3-3-6) in 10 games.
The Red Wings have now accumulated additional draft picks in each of the next three NHL Entry Drafts - 10 picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and eight selections in the 2023 and 2024 NHL Entry Drafts.
