The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a notebook article discussing Robby Fabbri’s contract extension and Tyler Bertuzzi’s return from COVID protocols on Monday, but he also noted an important storyline regarding one Vladislav Namestnikov:
Blashill switched forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Filip Zadina, putting Namestnikov with Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri, while Zadina skated with Michael Rasmussen and Adam Erne.
For Namestnikov, it’s essentially a promotion to more of an offensive line, given Namestnikov’s performance lately.
“A well earned promotion,” said Blashill, noting Namestnkov also was placed on the power play last week. “I would say he’s played as good as any forward in our group the last little bit. He’s skating well, he’s producing enough offense and he’s played real good hockey. So to me, it’s a well earned promotion.”
Zadina could get more time playing with the puck, while playing with two big, grinding forwards.
“I don’t know that either one of those lines is going to get a whole bunch different ice time,” Blashill said. “I don’t necessarily see it as a demotion for Z. Z has worked hard, and potentially playing with Ras and Erne, it gets him even more puck touches because they’re hard on the puck, hard forecheckers and if he gets more puck touches, does he then produce more offense? Z is working hard and as he works hard, he’ll work through and grow and that’s all we ask of him.”
