The Senators traded for Anisimov on July 16, 2019, sending forward Zack Smith to the Chicago Blackhawks looking for the veteran forward to shore up their depth and special teams.

Selected by the New York Rangers in the second round (No. 54) in the 2006 NHL Draft, the native of Yaroslavl, Russia, played for Russia at the 2006 World Under-18 Championship, then had two goals and three points in 2007 to help Russia win a silver medal at the World Junior Championship.

After three years with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in Russia, Anisimov came to North America for the 2007-08 season and had 16 goals and 43 points with Hartford, the Rangers' American Hockey League affiliate. He also won a bronze medal with Russia at the 2008 World Junior Championship.

Blossoming in 2008-09, Anisimov led Hartford with 81 points (27 goals) and played in the AHL All-Star Game. Anisimov made his NHL debut for the Rangers Feb. 3, 2009, against the Atlanta Thrashers, and made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut April 28, 2009, against the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the first round.

As a rookie Anisimov was sixth on the Rangers in goals (12) and eighth in points (28) in 2009-10, playing all 82 games. He got his first NHL point Oct. 8, 2009 against the Capitals and scored his first League goal three days later, beating Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Anaheim Ducks.

In 2010-11 he tied for third on the Rangers in assists (26) and had four points Jan. 19, 2011, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored his first Stanley Cup Playoff goal April 20, 2011, against Washington. In the 2012 playoffs, Anisimov had 10 points and three multipoint games for the Rangers.

The Rangers traded Anisimov to the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 23, 2012, with Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and a 2013 first-round draft pick for Rick Nash, Steven Delisle and a 2013 conditional third-round draft choice. Anisimov scored in his Blue Jackets debut Jan. 19, 2013, against the Nashville Predators.

Anisimov had his first 20-goal season in the NHL in 2013-14, finishing second on the Blue Jackets with 22 goals. He also won a gold medal with Russia at the 2014 World Championship, scoring four points in 10 games.

Columbus traded Anisimov to Chicago on June 30, 2015, with Marko Dano, Corey Tropp, Jeremy Morin and a 2016 fourth-round draft pick for Brandon Saad, Alex Broadhurst and Michael Paliotta.

Anisimov scored 22 goals in his first season with the Blackhawks and clicked instantly with right wing Patrick Kane, who won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring leader. Anisimov scored the first goal in the first regular-season game at Barclays Center on Oct. 9, 2015 against Thomas Greiss of the New York Islanders. The Blackhawks won 3-2 in overtime. He scored three goals in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games when the defending champion Blackhawks lost to the St. Louis Blues in the first round.

The next season, Anisimov scored 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists). In 2017-18, Anisimov had his third straight 20-goal season (20 goals, 11 assists). He scored his first NHL hat trick on Nov. 15 in a 6-3 win against the New York Rangers.

In 2018-19, Anisimov had 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists), giving him 155 points (77 goals, 78 assists) in his four seasons with the Blackhawks.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Traded to Columbus by NY Rangers with Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and NY Rangers' 1st round pick (Kerby Rychel) in 2013 NHL Draft for Rick Nash, Steven Delisle and Columbus' 3rd round pick (Pavel Buchnevich) in 2013 NHL Draft, July 23, 2012.
• Signed as a free agent by Yaroslavl (KHL), September 20, 2012.
• Traded to Chicago by Columbus with Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp, Marko Dano and Columbus' 4th round pick (later traded to NY Islanders -- NY Islanders selected Anatoli Golyshev) in 2016 NHL Draft for Brandon Saad, Michael Paliotta and Alex Broadhurst, June 30, 2015.
• Traded to Ottawa by Chicago for Zack Smith, July 16, 2019.