Out Of NHL For 3 Years, Russian Forward Giving It Another Shot in North America

He hasn’t officially played in the NHL since 2021, and was released from a PTO with the Detroit Red Wings in the preseason. But now at the age of 35, thirteen-year veteran Artem Anisimov has agreed to a professional tryout agreement with the New York Rangers AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack in an attempt to win himself another shot at the NHL.

Artem Anisimov is giving it another go in North America, signing a professional tryout agreement with Hartford @WolfPackAHL. @InsideAHLHockey

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) January 2, 2024

Anisimov joins the Wolf Pack immediately. It's actually his second tour of duty with the team, as he began his run in North America with the Wolf Pack way back in 2007. He graduated to the NHL and went on to spend three seasons with the Rangers in which he accumulated 46 goals and 62 assists for 108 points in 244 games in the Big Apple. 

Anisimov throwback!

16:18 - Anisimov draws penalty on Jágr
17:58 - Anisimov hooked by Bourdon
18:02 - Anisimov scores
18:03 - Anisimov high-sticked by Kubina#NYR went from 2-0 up and 5-4 to 3-0 up and 5-on-3 in the span of mere seconds.pic.twitter.com/aXbIoJJJxu

— Stat Boy Steven 🇳🇱 🇿🇦 🇮🇪 (@StatBoy_Steven) January 2, 2024

From there he moved on to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Ottawa Senators, registering four 20-goal seasons, and appearing in a total of 771 career NHL games, notching 376 points on 180 goals and 196 assists.  

Anisimov was with #Flyers organization last year on a similar AHL PTO with Lehigh Valley before turning that into an AHL deal last December

Anisimov returns to @NYRangers organization with AHL-Hartford after tallying 36 points (19G-17A) in 55 games last year. @InsideAHLHockey

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) January 2, 2024

The Russian forward also had a 55-game trial with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL last year. He recorded 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points.

Anisimov was the Rangers’ second-round pick, 54th overall in the 2006 NHL entry draft. 

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports