Chicago Blackhawks’ Artem Anisimov Turns 29 Today

The Chicago Blackhawks have two birthdays in two days!  Yesterday, we celebrated defenseman Brian Campbell’s birthday, and today we wish center Artem Anisimov a happy day.

While Campbell is now the ripe old age of 38, Artem Anisimov is quite a bit younger, turning 29-years-old today.  This makes him the same age as Jonathan Toews, who turned 29 at the end of April.  But unlike Toews, who is the captain of the team, the face of the franchise, and has been with the Chicago Blackhawks since the 2007-08 season, Anisimov is a relative newcomer to Chicago.

Anisimov came to the Blackhawks in June of 2015 from the Columbus Blue Jackets.  He was part of the infamous trade that involved Brandon Saad leaving Chicago for Columbus.  One day after the trade, Anisimov signed a five-year, $22.75 million contract extension with Chicago.  Stan Bowman claimed he’d had an eye on Anisimov for some time, and was excited to add him to the team.

Well, over the past two seasons Arty has definitely filled the much needed second line center position for the Hawks.   He and fellow Russian Artemi Panarin joined the team in the same season.  Together with Patrick Kane, these three have become arguably one of the best lines in the NHL.  Anisimov takes a back seat to his other two linemates, who are busy scoring goals and earning trophies.  But you could easily call Arty the glue that holds everything together.

The Russian center was integral in helping with Panarin’s transition to North America, acting as his companion and interpreter.  On the ice, he’s built chemistry with both Panarin and Kane.  He’s found ways to get them the puck, and to give them the time and space they need to work their magic.  He’s well known for crashing the net, and being there at the right time and place to put away deflections and rebounds.

This past season, Arty tallied a career high 22 goals and 23 assists, for 45 points (tied for fifth on the team with Marian Hossa).  This is up from his first season with the Hawks, where his stats were 20 goals, 22 assists, and 42 points.  And he managed this is 13 less games (he played in 64 games this season compared to 77 games last season).

Anisimov has been hit by the injury bug a bit this season.  His most recent injury involved him missing the last 13 games of the regular season with a lower-leg injury.  He returned for the playoffs, but in my opinion he wasn’t ready.  He just didn’t look like himself out there.  Hopefully the long offseason will give Arty time to rest and heal.  Oh, and work on his faceoffs.

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If there’s one bone of contention with Anisimov, it’s his faceoff issues.  In this year’s playoffs, he was a horrific 29.4% on the dot.  Now, to be fair, that could have had something to do with his injury, or the matchups against the Nashville Predators.

During the regular season, Anisimov averaged 45.1% in the faceoff circle, which is up from last season’s 44.2%.  His career average is 46%, so he could stand to improve a little.  As the Chicago Blackhawks try to get back to their possession game, it sure would be helpful if Anisimov could win more faceoffs.  After all, that would mean Kane and Panarin would have the puck more often!

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All in all, I would say acquiring Anisimov has been, and will continue to be, a good thing for the Chicago Blackhawks.  However, it does stink that finally gaining a second line center had to be at the expense of losing a top line left winger to play with Toews.  Saad will forever be missed, but it’s time for Anisimov now.

Here’s to a happy birthday to Arty, and an even better season and year to come!