Report: Rangers Forward Could Be Looking To KHL

Zak Chiger Updated: Jul 1, 2018

According to KHL insider Aivis Kalniņš, Rangers forward Vladislav Namestnikov may be heading back home to Russia and the KHL.

https://twitter.com/A_Kalnins/status/1013417076298567681

As Kalniņš correctly states, this could just be a play by Namestnikov to try and get more money out of the Rangers. The Blueshirts do have a lot of young pivots in the system, including Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, and Brett Howden, not to mention the guys already under contract. Should Namestnikov leave the Rangers for Russia, Jeff Gorton and his team should still be on track for the rebuild.

UPDATE: Namestnikov’s agent Dan Milstein denies the above report, and says that they are working on an extension with the Rangers.

Rumors that Vladislav Namestnikov considering signing in the KHL are absolutely not true. Playing in the NHL is a privilege and honor. Contract extension is in works.

— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) July 1, 2018