Vladislav Namestnikov

Tampa Bay Lightning center Vladislav Namestnikov is congratulated by teammates after his goal against the Boston Bruins on March 12.

(Charles Krupa | The Associated Press)

It looks like center Vladdy Namestnikov's time with the Syracuse Crunch could be over.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters Saturday that the Crunch star will remain with the Lightning even when that team returns to full health.

#TBLightning Cooper said @Vladdy18 is staying up with them rest of season. "He's part of our team." — Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) March 28, 2015

Morrow a game one decision but Cooper said once Morrow is healthy they plan on keeping Namestnikov on a regular recall — Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) March 28, 2015

Namestnikov had been in Tampa Bay since his emergency recall on March 5. NHL teams can use emergency recalls to fill in for injured players, but once those injured players return the recalls must go back to the AHL.

Tampa Bay can retain Namestnikov by using a regular recall. Teams are allowed four regular recalls from the NHL trade deadline through the end of the playoffs. By keeping Namestnikov, Tampa Bay will have used three of these such moves.

Namestnikov, a third-year-pro, has 14 goals and 21 helpers in 34 games with the Crunch this season.

The good news for Syracuse is that he is eligible to return to the team in the playoffs, but that would likely only occur if the Lightning is eliminated before Syracuse. Even in that scenario, there's no guarantee Tampa Bay would choose to send him down.



Contact Lindsay Kramer anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2151

