Former Red Wings Player Seriously Injured in NHL Playoffs

Vladimir Namestnikov was a popular player during his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings. It was no surprise at all then to see Red Wings fans extending well wishes after Namestnikov was involved in a scary incident Sunday during the NHL playoffs.

Playing for the Winnipeg Jets against the Colorado Avalanche, Namestnikov took a slapshot off the stick of teammate Nate Schmidt directly in the face.

The Jets won a draw in the Colorado zone and Schmidt stepped into his shot. It ramped up off the stick of Colorado’s Andrew Cogliano, who was attempting to block the shot, launching it directly into Namestnikov’s face.

Vladislav Namestnikov heads down the tunnel after being hit in the face by a Nate Schmidt slapshot. pic.twitter.com/MR7Wq1WnfO

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 28, 2024

He crumpled to the ice, bleeding from the wound. Training and medical staffs from both clubs were attending to Namestnikov on the ice. As a stretcher was being wheeled out on to the ice surface, Namestnikov rose to his feet and was able to leave the ice under his own power.

He was taken to hospital for further attention. After the game, Jets coach Rick Bowness – also a former Red Wings forward – was allowing that they were still awaiting further word on Namestnikov’s condition.

The Jets lost the game 5-1 and trail the Avalanche 3-1 in the series.

Namestnikov Related To Red Wings Playoff Hero

Namestnikov’s father Yevgenni Namestnikov also played in the NHL. After his playing days, the family would settle in Michigan. Namestnikov is the nepheew of Vyacheslav Kozlov, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Red Wings.

Vladislav Namestnikov with his uncle legendary Slava Kozlov. Story about the first Russian family NHL dynasty (in Russian) https://t.co/GISOro8HK4 pic.twitter.com/tOZaM2zNyC

— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) February 3, 2018

During his Detroit days, Kozlov became a popular player after scoring some every important overtime winners during Red Wings playoff runs. Namestnikov, an energetic forward, also became a bit of a fan favorite during his stint in Detroit from 2020-22. Namestnikov was a 13-goal scorer for Detroit during the 2021-22 season and a team-best plus-one. He tallied 11 goals for the Jets this season.