from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

...Namestnikov didn't earn a point through his first six games, and only had one goal through 11 games.

It was around that time that coach Jeff Blashill began using Namestnikov at center, though, rather than the wing.

And since that point, as he's gotten reacclimated to his natural position, Namestnikov has three goals in the last six games — the latest, a goal Monday in the 3-2 overtime loss to Chicago.

"You gain confidence and things kind of ease up," Namestnikov said of the goal-scoring surge. "You just have to play the right way and things will come for you."...

"I like him at center; he seems to be more dynamic as a center, and he's shown more quickness and speed at center than he did on the wing," Blashill said. "He supports the puck and defends pretty well and he's shown pretty good speed."

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