CBJ of the day is a daily article in which I will discuss a
player’s importance and role within the Blue Jackets franchise along with what
their availability on the trade market appears to be.
In July 2012 disgruntled Columbus captain Rick Nash was
traded to the New York Rangers for various assets who would become a large part
of the core in Columbus for now and the future. Among these pieces was a native
of Yaroslavl, Russia named Artem Anisimov. The big bodied center (6’4” and
currently 198 lbs) fit the exact image that the Blue Jackets were attempted to
create, a fast yet gritty style of play.
Anisimov instantly slotted into the second line of head
coach Todd Richards’s regular plan, however as a young star named Ryan Johansen
moved into the picture and slotted into the top line, he would be relegated to
third line time. Number 42 would come to be a fan favorite known for the “Arty
Parties” that he would cause just by scoring a goal. Anisimov has posted 84
points in 162 games but is known more for his skillful defensive play. He
finished the 2014-2015 season at a below average level with a minus 6, and has
now dropped to a minus 1 in his career.
Recently, Anisimov has seemed to reach the end of his run in
Columbus. There is an abundance of forward depth and his reasonably large cap
hit of approximately $3.3M makes him a luxury item rather than a useful asset
down the middle. He was nearly sent to Edmonton at the trade deadline for
forward David Perron however the deal fell apart. Lackluster production numbers
and underachieving defensive play mixed with prospects reaching the NHL level,
Anisimov is an asset that Columbus can no longer afford both financially and
logically.
STATUS: AVAILABLE
It is highly likely that “Arty” has laced up his skates in
the union blue for the final time and may even be moved as soon as the draft.
With many teams in the market for a defensive center and Columbus’s need on the
blue line, it is seemingly inevitable.
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