Lightning's Vladislav Namestnikov: Strikes two-year extension with Bolts

Namestnikov agreed to a two-year, $3.875 million contract extension with Tampa Bay on Tuesday, ESPN's Craig Custance reports.

An arbitration hearing for Namestnikov reportedly had been set for Friday, but that will be canceled with the two sides settling on a new deal that will see the 23-year-old's salary increase by just over $3 million. Namestnikov is a talented two-way pivot who sailed to career highs in goals (14) and assists (21) last season. He's currently projected to play on the third line, but ascending to the top-six group isn't out of the question if Jonathan Drouin struggles out of the gate in the upcoming season. Look for Namestnikov in the mid-to-late rounds of most fantasy drafts.