....Namestnikov is not struggling.

He has terrible linemates. His numbers away from McLeod and Pionk put him as one of the best forwards on the team.

Can't see Edmonton making that trade (and they make some really bad trades), especially with throwing in a pick. A higher pick should be going back to Edmonton. Puljujavi's ceiling is insanely high and they would be foolish to trade him at this point.

Ummm Pionk plays D... and lately much better... Not sure how he is directly affecting Namestnikov
Is your unfamiliarity with the players supposed to support your statement??

Familiarize yourself with this chart.
It will help.
http://hockeyviz.com/fixedImg/wowy/1819/NYR/namesvl92/wrap


But I'm unsure of your familiarity with the game of hockey. Are you saying that players on the ice together don't affect each other if they play different positions? This chart should help you..
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/linestats.php?fromseason=20182019&thruseason=20182019&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&rate=y&team=NYR&view=wowy&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=2017-10-04&td=2019-04-06&tgp=2000&strict=incl&p1=8480145&p2=8476480&p3=0&p4=0&p5=0

If you can see: When Pionk is on the ice, Namestnikov looks bad. When Pionk is off the ice, Namestnikov looks really really good. Take McLeod off the ice and he looks great. He's affecting Vlad a lot.

Spooner is legitimately bad though...and so is Pionk on D.

Obtuse.