Vladislav Namestnikov has been traded six times in his career — and four times in the lead-up to a trade deadline. After uprooting his life at the 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023 deadlines, he says he’s happy to get through this one without the fear of being moved.
“The last couple of years, it felt like every trade deadline, something was happening. It feels nice to stay put, just play, and not worry,” Namestnikov told The Athletic on Monday, following the announcement of his two-year contract extension. “I’m just happy that we got something done.”
Namestnikov was one of six pending UFAs on the Jets, along with Nikolaj Ehlers, Neal Pionk, Alex Iafallo, Mason Appleton, and Haydn Fleury. The Jets are expected to be buyers at the deadline, whether or not they’re able to get more of their own guys extended in the interim.
