Profile: Artem Anisimov
Artem Anisimov was drafted by the Rangers in the 2nd round (54th overall) in the 2006 draft, and is currently ranked the #1 prospect in the Rangers organization. He is just 20 years old, and stand at 6’3″, with some filling out to do. When all is said and done, he will probably reach 6’3″, 220 lbs.
Anisimov is projected by many to be the Rangers #1 or #2 center in a few years, and he is the most NHL ready prospect the Rangers have in the system. He is currently averaging more than a point a game (20/26/46 in 44 games) in Hartford, and is one of the few Hartford players that is on the positive side of +/-. He has superb hands that make him an excellent passer with a deceptively quick shot. Playing in Hartford, he has developed into a very strong two-way center.
He is not the speediest of players, but centers rarely are. Don’t mistake that for Anisimov being slow though, he is a great skater for someone his size. His sizs and strength make him difficult to move off the puck, and his quick hands make him adept at handling the puck while in traffic.
A big center with great hands that can shoot, pass, and play defense is a rarity in the NHL. Anisimov’s lanky frame hurts him in the faceoff circle a little bit, but as he grows, he should become better in that category. I want to compare him to Mats Sundin in terms of playing style and size, but it may be a little too early for that. His future on this team is a top 6 forward, possibly the #1 center.
Tags: Artem Anisimov
Minors, Player Profiles, Prospect Profiles | Dave, 21 Jan 09
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By evitageN, January 22, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Dave, I can’t wait to see this guy play… Same with Grachev when he’s ready, I really look forward to these two plus Del Zotto… Oh and Cherepanov =[ RIP
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By Dave, January 22, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
I’m hoping he cracks the team next year and moves Dubinsky over to the wing.
I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again, a future blueline of Staal, Del Zotto, Sanguinetti and Girardi will be one of the best top 4 out there.
As for Grachev, the kid already filled out at 6’3 202lbs. If he can learn to use his size to his advantage, he might rival Bertuzzi (in his prime). I think my next prospect profile will be of Grachev.
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By evitageN, January 22, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
Cool, also that does look solid (Staal, DZ, Sangs, and G) but I just won’t know what we’re gonna do when those other 2 are ready and we still have ReddeN? =[
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By Dave, January 23, 2009 @ 8:59 am
I would assume that Roszy and Redden are guaranteed spots unless their legs fall off, so the other 4 spots will be for those 4.
Hopefully.
Or maybe, if Redden’s game goes to hell, they can send him to Hartford and clear his $6 million cap hit.
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By evitageN, January 23, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Yeah at least if he gets sent to Hartford, he’d prolly head over to Russia or something…
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By Dave, January 23, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
I don’t care what he does when he gets waived, just get his salary off the books lol.
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By Becky, January 29, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Why is there a picture of Dubinsky?
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By Dave, January 29, 2009 @ 11:43 am
The image came up under an Anisimov Google search. Oh well, it’s fixed now.
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