The Rangers announced yesterday that they had traded C/LW pivot Vladislav Namestinikov to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a fourth-round draft selection in 2021 and defenseman Nick Ebert. The Rangers will retain $750,000 of Namestnikov’s $4,000,000 cap hit.
This is a smart move for the Senators, as Namestnikov, an expiring contract, will most likely play top-six minutes in Ottawa and boost his trade value. Historically, playoff contenders have overpaid for these “rental players” at the trade deadline, and many teams will look to acquire Namestnikov to bolster their rosters. Namestnikov has proven that he can score while being defensively reliable. In addition, the fact that he can play either center or wing is appealing to teams that will look to acquire him.
For the Rangers, this trade is helpful. The Rangers gain $3,250,000 in cap space, giving them more flexibility to make roster and player moves, a fourth-round draft pick in 2021, right-handed defenseman Nick Ebert, and maybe most importantly, an open forward spot on their roster, all from trading away one expiring contract.
The acquisition of Nick Ebert is interesting. Right-handed defenseman are rare in this league, and before being drafted in 2012, Nick Ebert was considered a lock for being a top-5 pick in his draft. However, after a poor season in the OHL, he fell to pick #211, the last pick in the draft. Ebert spent the entirety of last season in the SHL, registering 33 points in 49 games. While yes, Ebert was thrown into the trade to prevent Ottawa from reaching the contract limit, he is still 25 and who knows, perhaps this trade will rejuvenate his career.
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