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. And this time around we started with the high numbers and are up to #42, Artem Anisimov.

#42's #s: 82 games, 18 goals, 26 assists, +3, 20 PIM (5 playoff games, one goal, no assists, +2, no PIM).

Take the good: Arty did not go through a sophomore slump. He put up 16 more points, 29 more hits and 66 more shots then he did during his rookie campaign. When he was assertive, he really was quite impressive. He showed off his talent time and time again. His overtime game-winner against Buffalo back in November was a beaut, as was this delightful tally against Pittsburgh. Formed good chemistry with Callahan and Dubinsky to give the Rangers a solid home-grown line and satisfying all of us who have waited for so very long to see blue blood back in Blueshirts.

Take the bad: Arty wasn't that assertive nearly often enough. As with his rookie season, he played his best when he skated alongside other players willing to do the heavy lifting - first Shelley/Prust, then Dubi/Cally. When Cally went down with injury, Arty went with him. The Russian youngster was easily marginalized by physical opposition. He was all too willing to play on the perimeter. Just eight of his 44 points came on the power play despite seeing an average of 1:47 of ice time with the man advantage on the season.

Take them both and then we have: Anisimov seems to have the desire to be better and to contribute more but not the willingness to pay the price to do it. If he adds 15 pounds of muscle and more maturity he really could be a star. But we are getting to the crossroads of his development - is he going to grow into a Mats Sundin-type impact player or will he end up like Viktor Kozlov - capable but unextraordinary?

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.

Boom!

Just Enjoy The Awesomeness

Courtesy of YouTuber LoFFen1987: