Lightning announce Namestnikov signing

The Tampa Bay Lightning confirmed Wednesday morning that they have re-signed forward Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year contract extension worth $3.875 million in total.

Namestnikov was scheduled for arbitration Friday.

The middle-six forward, who will represent Russia at the upcoming World Cup, has the potential to exceed the $1.938-million average annual value on his deal. Jonathan Drouin, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucherov were the only Lightning players with a better even-strength points rate last season.

Namestnikov's 14 goals and 35 points in 2015-16 represented career highs for the former 27th overall pick.