The Chicago Blackhawks got exactly what they wanted out of center Artem Anisimov this season, but the veteran forward is on the mend after undergoing surgery on his right wrist, the team announced Tuesday.
Anisimov, who scored 20 goals and dished out 22 assists in 77 games this season, found his niche as the center on the Blackhawks’ second line. Both Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane had remarkable seasons, with Panarin nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy and Kane a likely nominee for the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
The Blackhawks do anticipate that Anisimov will be back in the fold in time for not only training camp with the Hawks, but also should be fully healed up by the time the Russian World Cup squad begins gearing up for the tournament in Toronto this fall.
“Artem Anisimov underwent surgery today to repair an injury on his right wrist,” team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement. “The surgery went well. We anticipate his return to full hockey activities in approximately six to eight weeks.”
