There's always room for more (or better) centers on the Columbus Blue Jackets' roster.
On Friday morning, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that he was "hearing that the (Chicago) Blackhawks would move forward Artem Anisimov for the right price."
A former Blue Jacket, Anisimov is in the middle of his 11th NHL season, while playing for three different teams along the way: the New York Rangers, the Blue Jackets, and now the Blackhawks.
The Russian veteran has two and half years more on his current contract which has a $4.55 million cap hit annually, so he wouldn't be a rental. LeBrun also stated that Anisimov has a "10-team list of teams he would go to as part of his modified no-trade clause."
It's no clear whether the Blue Jackets are on that approved list, but LeBrun noted that Columbus could be a nice fit for the former center who could immediately jump into a large(r) role on a team that lacks depth in the middle.
Anisimov has 24 points through 51 games, on pace for a nearly 40-point season. He's 30 now, but acquiring him now for the next two years wouldn't be much of a risk with his age.
In three seasons with the Blue Jackets, Anisimov totaled 84 points in 168 games played.
