The NYR Facts Of Life: #42 Artem Anisimov

For each player who suited up in a Blueshirt this season we will take the good, we will take the bad and take them both and see what we have. Today we get to party because it is time for Arty, #42 Artem Anisimov.

#42's #s: 82 games, 12 goals, 16 assists, -2, 32 PIM.

Take the good: Arty averaged around 13 minutes of ice time a game, including quasi-regular shifts on both special teams. You can't buy the chemistry or confidence that Anisimov secured when paired with Jody Shelley and Brandon Prust. Having the two tough guys riding shotgun for him allowed Arty to simplify his skill game (probably by thinking and worrying less) and in doing so it brought back the talent he flashed in preseason. He went out and grabbed five assists in his last six games on the Rangers best line.

Take the bad: At the same time, Arty went his last eight games without scoring a goal and had a 28 game span where he managed just two goals ... both in the same game. And that drought included a 17 game complete power outage with zero points. Anisimov was soft, sloppy with his stick and horrific in the faceoff circle.

Take them both and then we have: A kid who earned valuable experience in all situations during a durable rookie season. Then again, it is easy to be durable when you don't get your hands dirty. Ok, that may have been harsh considering he bounced right back from this and this and, oh yeah, this. He might have been better served spending at least a little time in Hartford getting more minutes, filling out his frame, putting up points and learning to keep his head up.