Ottawa Senators add Artem Anisimov in trade with Chicago

By Mike Vlasveld

The Ottawa Senators have traded forward Zack Smith to the Chicago Blackhawks for four-time 20-goal scorer Artem Anisimov.

Anisimov, 31, scored 15 goals and added 22 assists in 78 games with the Blackhawks last season. 

The 6' 4'', 198 lbs. centre averaged 16:21 of time-on-ice per game last season, including more than a minute per game on both the power play and penalty kill.

“Artem is a big, competitive centre with excellent hands and playmaking ability,” said general manager Pierre Dorion. “He plays a 200-foot game and will contribute to our depth on both special teams. We're acquiring an experienced player who can score and at the same time is responsible in his own zone. We really like how he will fit with the makeup of our team.”

A native of Yaroslavl, Russia, Anisimov has played in 703 career NHL games for the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Blackhawks, scoring 163 goals and adding 184 assists for 347 points. He added eight goals and nine assists in 43 career NHL playoff games.

Selected in the second round (54th overall) of the 2006 NHL Draft by the Rangers, Anisimov has represented his native Russia internationally on more than 10 occasions, appearing in the Olympic Games, World Cup of Hockey, IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship, winning six medals including a World Championship gold in 2014.

Zack Smith has was drafted by the Senators in 2008. He had his best season in 2015-16, when he scored 25 goals.

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