After a month of speculation, the Rangers finally made official the signing of 2006 2nd round pick Artem Anisimov. The Russian center was signed to a three year entry level contract after impressing first at the world juniors, and then at the prospect camp back in late June.

Anisimov has an outside shot at joining the Rangers as a rookie, and no doubt if the Rangers go into camp without an obvious third line center, the speculation will only get louder.

Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL draft, Anisimov was projected to be a first round pick by some pundits. The belief is that he fell due to the uncertainly of the transfer agreement with Russia, and no doubt as a result of the willingness for Russian clubs to pay NHL quality contracts to keep players in the Super League.