It’s getting that time of year again, when the players get back on the ice and the pucks begin to drop. Already some Ranger prospects are in action and so we feel it’s time to get the party started with a new series this year.

With just under seven weeks to go until the October 9th season opener for the Rangers, we’ll begin profiling each player signed to a Ranger contract. The series kicks off today with a profile of Russian center Artem Anisimov.

Player Profile
Drafted in the second round (54th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Anisimov has already played more NHL games than thirty four of the prospects selected before him. The lanky Russian made his NHL debut February 3rd, 2009 against the Atlanta Thrashers, but was promptly sent back to Hartford under just one appearance.

He went on to make one additional post season appearance in the game seven loss to the Washington Capitals. Going into camp last year Anisimov was a good shot to make the team, and he cemented his position by leading the Rangers with 4 goals and 2 assists in six games.

Playing a majority of the time on the third line, with some limited power play time, the 21 year old put up credible numbers of 12 goals and 16 assists while being one of only four Rangers to appear in all 82 games. Anisimov got off to a relatively solid start with 5 goals and 6 assists in his first 23 games, but struggled a little offensively until finishing with 5 assists in his last 6 games.

Season Outlook
This year Anisimov goes into camp, almost assured of a position in the starting night line-up, the only question will be on which line, and with whom. While it seems unlikely that we’ll see him playing with Marian Gaborik – at least to start the season – there’s a chance he could pair up with off-season free agent signee Alexander Frolov.

While Frolov appears to be destined for the top line opposite Gaborik, the excess of centers may force Tortorella to shift Vinny Prospal to the left wing and thereby provide an opportunity for the two Russians to form the basis of a second line.

If Anisimov does indeed get a chance to play with his countryman, and also manages to pick up a little more power play time, then twenty goals and thirty assists might be possible for the sophomore forward. If he returns to third line duty, and misses out to either Todd White or Erik Christensen for power play time, then expect his numbers to be more in the 15 goals, 20 assist range.

Things to work on…
Heading into what will be just his second full season with the NHL, Anisimov needs to ensure that he can be effective at both ends of the ice. His 44.9 percent success rate in the face-off circle was better only than Brian Boyle amongst the regular centers last year, while his offensive game was non-existent for stretches of five to ten games at a time.

While not a defensive liability, if he can work a little harder on defense he may be able to earn some PK time to augment his ice time. And while it’s not his natural game, Anisimov did show how he can be effective using his body to create space for himself, and we can only hope that another off-season of training coupled with being a year older will help that aspect.

2009-10 Statistics
Team: New York Rangers (NHL)
Stats: 12 goals, 16 assists and 32 penalty minutes in 82 games

Prediction
Team: New York Rangers
Stats: 20 goals, 30 assists

Fun Fact
When Anisimov broke into the Russian Super League in 2005-06 with Yaroslavl, he played with former Rangers Karel Rachunek, Steve Valiquette, Alexei Vasiliev, as well as former Ranger draft pick Ilya Gorokhov.