Artem Anisimov not worried about possible demotion to third line

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Artem Anisimov tied his career high with 22 goals last season before suffering a leg injury in March. (Getty Images)

After practices and games the last two seasons, Artem Anisimov usually would sit in the back left corner of the Blackhawks’ dressing room next to Artemi Panarin, chatting in Russian, occasionally giggling. But with Panarin in Columbus, Anisimov is the last Russian standing on the Hawks’ roster.

“I’m going to speak English better this season, for sure,” he joked.

Anisimov didn’t only lose one of his best friends on the team, he might have lost his primo gig as Patrick Kane’s center. Nick Schmaltz appears to be running away with the second-line center job, leaving Anisimov as the third-line center, likely with Ryan Hartman and another winger.

Anisimov shrugged it off.

“I expect a lot to happen [in camp], and my mind-set was to be ready for -anything,” he said.

Last season was a mixed bag for Anisimov. He matched his career high in goals with 22 but missed the last month of the season with a leg injury. He returned in time for the playoffs but admitted he still was battling through the injury during the four-game sweep against the Predators. He repeatedly used the word “disappointment” to describe the way things ended. So while the long summer helped him get back to 100 percent, it was as much a curse as it was a blessing.

“It’s tough mentally because you cannot wait to go play again,” he said. “On the other hand, you’re rested, healed and ready to go.”

Anisimov’s loss could be the Hawks’ gain. As a third-line center, Anisimov could give the Hawks some much-needed depth down the middle. He also will likely take on a larger role on the penalty kill, with Marcus Kruger, Marian Hossa and Dennis Rasmussen gone.

“I hope so,” Anisimov said. “It’s a privilege to play on all the special teams in this league, and I’ll take that responsibility.”

Lottery spot

Touted rookie Alex DeBrincat skated with Schmaltz and Kane on Sunday, and he’ll get a longer look heading into the preseason opener Tuesday at Columbus. Coach Joel Quenneville has liked what he has seen. It would be an awfully small line, but one loaded with skill.

“That’s the lottery spot,” Quenneville said. “[DeBrincat’s] instincts are high, high end, [and he’s] playing with a couple of guys who have the same type of instincts. The reading and the anticipation off of plays — they’ll be communicating without having to communicate. They know where it’s going to go next. That’s something that’ll only get better as they get a little more accustomed to playing with one another. The upside of that [line] could be really big.”

Follow me on Twitter @MarkLazerus.

Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com

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