Anisimov: First Line Center?

Before Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky went down with injuries in the same game, a combination of Dubinsky and Vinny Prospal (with Enver Lisin on the wing) was used to center the top line. It generally produced the same results: Gaborik and Prospal score, other player gets an assist or two. The best chemistry came when Prospal was playing the wing, as Dubinsky was producing at a 50-60 point pace. Of course, with the aforementioned centers out, the Rangers have been forced to scramble, and Prospal is required to play center.

That all changes with the news that Drury will be back from his concussion tomorrow night against Florida. Aside from the discussion of who will sit, another question is who gets moved from center. Gut reactions are going to say Ryan Callahan, because he’s a natural winger playing center. But I say, let’s try a different route.

Move Prospal back to LW on the top line, and put Artem Anisimov up front to play pivot between him and Gaborik. Believe it or not, Anisimov is fifth in points and fourth in goals on the Rangers. He does all this while averaging barely 11 minutes a game, of which 23 seconds is on the powerplay. That’s a pretty good point/TOI ratio right there.

The skill is obviously there for Anisimov, as he has put up his points (5 goals, 6 assists) while playing with the likes of Aaron Voros, Brian Boyle, Dane Byers, and Donald Brashear. Suffice it to say, that’s impressive. He has also outscored all of those four combined, but that’s less impressive as pretty much everyone on the team has outscored those four.

At the least, Anisimov has earned more playing time than his 11 minutes a game. Those currently playing more time than Anisimov: everyone not on the fourth line. That’s right, everyone. But yet, here is Anisimov in fifth on the team in points. I think it’s about time he gets rewarded for his hard work and results. At least he doesn’t give up the puck every time he touches it (see: Lisin, Enver; averaging 14 minutes a game).

What does John Tortorella have to lose by putting Anisimov on the top line for a game? He can definitely mesh with Prospal and Gaborik. Let’s see how it goes.