The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to trade center Artem Anisimov to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Zack Smith.
News Release: #Sens acquire centre Artem Anisimov from the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Zack Smith: https://t.co/HdExQYhdBj
Communiqué : Les #Sens acquièrent Artem Anisimov de Chicago en retour de Zack Smith: https://t.co/4Phriosexq pic.twitter.com/CwBzOT03En
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 16, 2019
Ottawa Senators Acquire Artem Anisimov
In Anisimov, the Senators get a 31-year-old center who can add size to their roster along with adding depth and experience. Last season, he scored 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points, adding 14 minutes in penalties in 78 games. His possession numbers are 48.6 percent Corsi-For and a relative Corsi of -1.4. Those totals were up compared to the 2017-18 season, where he scored 20 goals and 11 assists for 31 points. Over his 11-year NHL career, Anisimov has played for the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks. In that time, he has 163 goals and 184 assists for 347 career points in 703 career NHL games. He was originally drafted in the second round, 54th overall of the 2006 NHL draft by the Rangers.
“Artem is a big, competitive centre with excellent hands and playmaking ability,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion in a team press release. “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.”
Anisimov’s contract has an AAV of $4.55 million and he is signed through the 2020-21 season.
Zach Smith
Smith, also 31, scored nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points in 70 games played last season. He also added 81 penalty minutes. His possession numbers were 44.6 percent Corsi-For with a -0.8 relative Corsi. Smith was originally drafted by the Senators in the third round, 79th overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft. He has spent his entire 11-year career with the team scoring 94 goals and 99 assists for 193 career points in 612 career NHL games.
Smith’s contract has an AAV of $3.25 million and he is signed through the 2020-21 season.
Main Photo: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 07: Artem Anisimov #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck in front of Troy Stecher #51 of the Vancouver Canucks at the United Center on February 07, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Canucks 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
