The Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks have made a trade, flipping Zack Smith for Artem Anisimov. Though Anisimov comes with a higher cap hit of $4.55MM for the next two seasons, the Blackhawks paid out a $2MM signing bonus yesterday leaving just $5MM left on the contract for the Senators to actually pay. Smith meanwhile carries just a $3.25MM cap hit through 2020-21, but is actually still owed $6.5MM in salary over that period.
Anisimov, 31, also saw his trade protection expire at the start of the month, meaning he could be sent anywhere in the league and led to plenty of speculation over his future in Chicago. Though he has been an excellent player in the past for them, his role has diminished in recent seasons as he moved away from Patrick Kane (and Artemi Panarin previously). With that role reduction also came one in regards to production, as Anisimov recorded just 68 points over the past two seasons combined. With the Blackhawks needing cap space and having new blood coming in the form of top prospect Kirby Dach, Anisimov was an easy choice to move out of town.
For the Senators though, Anisimov’s production will actually be quite welcome. The team is saving actual dollars—something that is much more important to them than cap space—and getting a player who will likely step right into a top-six role and be a key part of their offense. After losing names like Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel and Mark Stone last year, the team had just a single forward carrying a cap hit over $4MM—Bobby Ryan. Anisimov is actually now the third-highest active cap hit on the team, behind only Ryan and goaltender Craig Anderson (Marian Gaborik and Clarke MacArthur actually both have higher numbers, but are not expected to play this season).
Smith isn’t nearly the offensive player that Anisimov is, and has actually been limited to just 14 goals over the last two seasons combined. The 30-year old center will give the Blackhawks another depth option to kill penalties and play a solid two-way game, but likely isn’t worth his contract at this point. The Blackhawks could potentially flip him at some point given they already have Ryan Carpenter and David Kampf that can play down the middle behind Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome, but perhaps they value his versatility and physical play.
The $1.3MM in cap savings is the important part for the Blackhawks, who were up quite tight against the ceiling with just a 20-player roster and Brendan Perlini still to sign. Part of that cap crunch is due to the $11MM they’re paying to have Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner in goal, but both are scheduled for unrestricted free agency next year, giving the team some flexibility moving forward. If they felt like Anisimov was no longer going to fit in their long-term plans, freeing up some playing time and cap space was a success, even if the move to Smith is a downgrade on paper.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Can someone tell me how this makes any sense for Chicago? It seems like they downgraded and got the more expensive player.
Smith is less expensive and it opens up a center position for another player, like Carpenter to be their 3C. Gives the Hawks about $1.3m in cap savings.
Good move on paper, but would have rather had someone on an entry level or picks to clear now cap space for the future.
Yeah, but Smith excels as a health scratch like nobody else can! Think Stan is trying to emulate Keenan from the GM seat?
Smith has a $3.25 mil cap hit through 2020-21 season. Anisimov has a $4.55 mil cap hit through 2020-21 season. Most likely a cap-induced trade to save some money
Let me explain to you how it makes sense in two words, Stanley Bowman.
Nothing more needs to be said.
Anisimov was just paid a $2 million bonus by Chicago so OTT will be paying him $2 million this season and $3 million next season for a total of $5 million in cash while accruing a $4.55 mil cap hit for him each season (which they need in order to stay above the cap floor).
On the other hand, Smith does cost more in actual cash ($6.5 million over 2 years) but his cap hit of $3.25 is lower. Chicago basically took a slightly lower quality player and paid more in cash in order to open up $1.3 million in cap space that they desperately need.
Anisimov the better scorer. Another move coming? I’d also like someone to chime in on the benefit. I only looked at the stats for both.
Oh ok and I think Anisimov had a signing bonus so his actual money is less than the cap hit. That must’ve been what I saw.
Probably able to move Smith for the third round pick they gave up last month
Let me give everyone some free advice. Don’t waste your time trying to make any sense of a trade Baldy Bowman makes. And some day you will see him trade another first round flop that he picked in the draft. Besides this years and last years he has traded every single first round pick he made. Yet people here still defend the guy.
And to clarify I do know that he didn’t draft Anisimov.
decent move for both clubs however the waiting till after the signing bonus stuff is funny. I men everyone knows Melnyk is cheap but he’s not even trying to hide it anymore.
Chicago saves $1.3 million in cap space with the move, which they can could use to re-sign RFA winger Brendan Perlini.
JD,
Very simple saves Chicago cap space. Enjoy him on your Sens!
Lep,
You sure are one bitter little man!
More like the most negative person ever
Quality trade.
Thank you forwhomjoshbelltolls, Go Black Hawks !
Maybe he’s saving money to give Seabrook another big extension