Veteran Forward Returns to Rangers Organization with a PTO

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TJ Tucker
January 2, 2024 (10:21)

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Artem Anisimov, a veteran forward with close to 800 NHL games under his belt has been given a professional try-out contract with an AHL team.

He likely would have preferred an NHL deal, but a veteran forward with 771 regular season games in the NHL is headed to the American Hockey League on a professional try-out deal.

Artem Anisimov, 35, has signed a try-out deal with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Anisimov has played for the team before as he was drafted into the league by the New York Rangers, the Wolf Pack's NHL affiliate, in 2006 with the 54th overall pick.

"The native of Yaroslavl, RUS, is entering his second stint with the Wolf Pack. He appeared in 154 games with the club during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, scoring 124 points (53 g, 71 a). In addition to his time with the Wolf Pack, Anisimov appeared in 244 games with the Rangers, scoring 108 points (46 g, 62 a) during the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12 seasons."

Besides the Rangers, Anisimov has played in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Ottawa Senators. He went back home to Russia to play in the KHL during the 2021-22 season, and then spent last season with the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the farm team of the Philadelphia Flyers. He played well there, scoring 19 goals and 36 points in 55 games.

Anisimov is joining the Wolf Pack immediately. The try-out means he gets to practice with the team in the hopes of getting a full-fledged contract.