Earlier this morning we reported that the Rangers had re-signed defenseman Michael Sauer to a new two-year deal. Now they have also re-upped restricted free agent forward Artem Anisimov for another two years as well, according to Andrew Gross via Twitter. The official money figures have yet to be released so we are still waiting on those.
Anisimov, age 23, recorded 18 goals and 26 assists in 82 games played with the Rangers last season. Artem played his best when he was on a line with Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan, as that trio proved to be unstoppable until they were broken up due to injuries. Anisimov is still developing and I think people need to realize that. He is not even close to his ceiling - far from it - and has a lot more growing to do.
When he gets stronger, trust me, he is going to be a very difficult player to defend. He has the hands, now he just needs the bulk.
Two down, just three more (Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Brian Boyle) to go. At this pace, I would expect the remaining three to re-sign in the coming weeks as well.
UPDATE (12:29pm): The official numbers on Anisimov's deal are two years at $1.875 million per. Another great move by Glen Sather.
I am giving slats a A+ on the offseason so far. Got rid of Drury, good guys added in Rupp and Richards. Now signs 2 out of our 5 big rfas! 3 more to guy. Think Boyle is next. Then the 2 real big ones in Cally and Dubie will follow!
Posted by: MvpGaborik | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Yup, he's really doing a fantastic job. He is re-rigning the RFAs for much cheaper than I though he would have to. Good stuff.
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Woo! Woo! Way to go Slats I love AA I think he will keep progressing and become a top offensive threat on the Rangers. And again the price was right! I don't think the others we need to sign will go quite as smoothly and definitely not as cheap! We can Get Boyle at a good price, I think Cally will be reasonable at $3.8mm - $4.2mm, but Dubi will probably overvalue himself and make this more difficult then it should be.
Posted by: JohnP | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 01:29 PM
great job ...alot of teams wanted Anisimov....think the salary is fair..i'm sure if he produces in the next 2 years, he'll be rewarded. what did sauer get?
Posted by: matt | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 01:44 PM
1.25 per for 2 yrs
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 02:02 PM
thats sounds fair to me too!
Posted by: matt | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 02:10 PM
so do you think sather is done w/off-season moves?
Posted by: matt | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Maybe a vet dman. Other than that I think he will be relatively quiet.
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 02:13 PM
how about Shane O'Brien ......27yrs old big 6'3" 230...
Posted by: matt | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 03:06 PM
I'm curious to see what Dubi and Cally end up getting. Bc right now Slats got off relatively cheap with Sauer and reasonable with AA.
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 04:17 PM
I like him too but he hasn't won anything like sopel who would be my choice.
Posted by: Joshua | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 07:18 PM