I just have to shake my head about this Anisimov conversation. How it isn't obvious to some that he does not fit in long term is beyond me. We just re-signed Dubi long-term. Johansen will be re-signed before the season starts with a significant raise in a manner that will ensure his next deal is still as an RFA. Jenner played well last year and is a natural center. Wennberg is a center. Its quite possible (maybe even probable) that Jenner surpasses Anisimov this year. Which makes him the 4th line center, even if Wennberg (1) doesn't play center for now or (2) doesn't make the team. And, to be clear, that's only looking ahead to 2014-15.
Does anyone seriously want to tell me that Anisimov is going to be on this team as a center by the time his contract runs out in 2016, two full seasons from now?
So, then we have to look at our other top 6 forward positions. Hartnell and Horton are clearly going to be taking up top 6 minutes. Atkinson would seem likely to be in that position barring a trade particularly since he already outperformed Arty and still has significant upside. That leaves one spot for Foligno/Anisimov in the top 6...this year. And, on a per game, and consistency basis, I'd choose Foligno over Anisimov. Not to mention that Foligno has shown more chemistry with his teammates and better fits the style of play JD and Jarmo want. This is BEFORE we even consider 2 more years of development for guys like Dano, Rychel, etc.
So, are we going to pay Anisimov the type of money he's going to rightly want in 2 years to be a bottom 6 forward...or are we going to maximize the return and trade him sometime between now and then to address other needs--specifically improving our defense which was totally outskated in the series against the Pens?
Anisimov will not be a 1st or 2nd line center for the Jackets going forward...but he could on another team. And that makes him a valuable commodity. More valuable than Foligno and Atkinson, for example. You have to manage assets and trade from strength to address weakness. So, without even thinking that much about the youngsters, I think it is obvious that Anisimov is a trade chip during the next 2 years.