The New York Rangers have signed restricted free agent centre Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year deal worth $8 million.

Namestnikov put up 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points in 81 games between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Rangers in 2017-18.

With the Rangers shifting towards rebuilding mode, the team acquired the 25-year-old Russian at the trade deadline from the Lightning, along with top prospects Brett Howden and Libor Hajek, a 2018 first-round draft pick and a conditional first-rounder in 2019 for forwards J.T. Miller and Ryan McDonagh.

Namestnikov is coming off a two-year, $3.875 million contract signed prior to the 2016-17 season.