Multiple reports – Bergen Record and New York Daily News – indicate that Artem Anisimov and the Rangers have agreed to a two year, $3.75M contract.
It is Anisimov’s second NHL contract, following the entry-level deal that he signed back in 2007, and increases his salary from $805,000 to $1.875M per year. Drafted in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Anisimov made his NHL debut with a one game cameo in the 2008-09 season, followed by one game in the playoffs.
The following season the Russian centerman broke into the line-up out of camp, and played in all 82 games, picking up 12 goals and 16 assists, including two game winners. Last year he set career highs with 18 goals, 26 assists and 44 points, to rank fifth on the team.
Anisimov figures to again be the second line center going into camp this year, but will likely find competition for ice time from sophomore Derek Stepan, who put up one more point last year in his first NHL season.