Rangers Analysis: Questions abound for Brandon Dubinsky
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 11, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Rangers Analysis
18 comments
This debate has opened up on a few different threads, and a few other sites, but I thought it's time we tackle it head on here.
With the Rangers having traded Scott Gomez to the Canadiens, and Blair Betts' services apparently no longer required on Broadway, it has left the Rangers somewhat thin at the center position.
The Rangers have made a few acquisitions at the position, trading a 3rd round pick in next year's draft to Los Angeles for Brian Boyle, and signing free agent Tyler Arnason from the Avalanche, but they seem to be mostly 4th line spare parts, or Hartford bound. Chris Drury is apparently (and appropriately) ensconced as the number two center.
We're all anxiously awaiting to hear when Brandon Dubinsky is going to be re-signed, and although I don't think anyone is truly worried that it won't happen, I think it can be said we're all wondering why it's taking so long.
The questions that surround Dubinsky are: When he signs, is he the number one center, and is he capable?
If you look at Brandon's career, the numbers and his ability before making it to the Ranger roster would seem to support the argument. Brandon does have playmaker ability, his assist numbers throughout his career have been solid, especially considering his third line status for much of his Ranger tenure, and for all the talk about Drury's face-off ability, it's Dubinsky that led the team in most face-off related categories.
It's that "third line status" that has many concerned, however. It's asking a lot of a player to make the jump from a third line grinder to anchoring your top line with a brand-spanking-new $35M winger.
A few names have been tossed around as possible targets for the Rangers, guys like Patrick Marleau from the Sharks, and Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars. Making this kind of trade would be a mistake. You are looking at players who are going to cost a bucket of money and at least a few of the prospect cards the Rangers have in their hand. A team looking to deal its number one center to the Rangers would probably also be looking for a Dubinsky or Callahan in return.
Plus, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are staring free agency right in the face, and while a lot can happen in a year, and it is easy to say "worry about 2010 when it gets here", it would be very short-sighted of the Rangers to further strangulate their cap space this season with the large contracts that already exist on this team.
The Rangers will be best served, in the long and short run, to sign Dubinsky, and give him every opportunity to succeed. If he falters as the first line center, the Rangers will have opportunities to make deals during the season as the league separates between haves and have-nots.
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Great questions
that need to be asked.
I think he can do it. He has great experience playing with a star on his wing, and if he could do that as a rookie, I think he can do it as a 3rd year player. I think he’ll rack up a lot of assists playing with Gaborik, and score a few more goals.
One of the biggest reasons for me to put him up there is his ability on faceoffs. He REALLY developed into a strong faceoff man. At the end of last season and in the playoffs he was dominant on faceoffs. You need that from a first line center. And he can do the other things a first line center needs to – he’s a great skater, he’s strong, can work the boards and forecheck very effectively, and he can make good passes. Also, he doesn’t turn over the puck very much. He’s not a phenomenal playmaker, and he’s not going to score 30 goals. But can he get the job done? I think so. It starts with getting the puck, and keeping it – both of which he is good at.
It’d be great to have Marleau but the money is too much, and I don’t think the sharks really want to part with him, unless maybe its for Heatley.
by j-red on Aug 11, 2009 8:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m not so sure he can’t score 30 goals. He had 13 last year, 14 the year before, playing on the 3rd line. I think between the increase in playing time and talent that comes with being on the 1st line, he could come close.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 11, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With maturity, I think he COULD become a 30 goal, 40 assist guy. I think he COULD become a Mike Richards type player. WILL he? I have no idea. I really thought he was going to get to 20 goals last season but obviously I was wrong. But he certainly has the talent and perhaps Torts is the coach that will get that talent out of him.
by Lunkwill Fook on Aug 11, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap
I voted yet but I didn’t expect the utterly overwhelming support for Dubs. :)
by Lunkwill Fook on Aug 11, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s not unexpected, Dubinsky is a hockey fan’s hockey player. Hard working, tough, not afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s a guy you want to see succeed.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 11, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
with the up-tempo style
i can see 30 goals this year. Especially if he plays with Gaborik, he will have tons of room
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 11, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hold your horses
I’m a HUGE Dubi supporter but don’t go making wild accusations yet (I learned from some previous mistakes). Let him mature at his own pace. He’ll get about thsi 40 point echelon, but where he goes depends on many, many factors. He COULD be a 70-80 point center, but he could also be a career 3rd liner. We shall see….
by xcdudesquad on Aug 11, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I absolutely agree, that Dubi can and will if given the opportunity, to be similar to Mike Richards. Ok, settle down, Im not saying he has the hands like Richards, but he is “Similar.”
They both play an agressive style from the pivot position. Both have a nasty side or a rough edge to their game.
Dubinsky has played as the number one center for Portland and as a rookie for us on the Rangers. Although he hasn’t filled the net at this level; lets not forget the roles he has been placed in, system played, and the underachievment of the Rangers of late.
Given the right opportunity, he can undoubtedly produce on a line as a number one center. He has in the past. Playing on a line with Gaborik and either Avery or Higgins, will certainly be entertaining to say the least.
Dubi can carry the puck into the offensive zone as can Gaborik. He also has the size and toughness to work the corners as do Avery and Higgins. He can drive to the net and create open ice for Gaborik as well.
He’s a “No Brainer.” Re-sign him and lets get started. No one in any Ranger Blog or otherwise ( with exception to a few morons ) wants a guy like Brad Richards here. He’s too soft and he’s getting too old. If we were going into the trade deadline and needed to solidify our roster, and were guarenteed to be in the Semi Finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs—I would consider a trade for Richards…We arent that type of team YET!
Stand pat, sign a tough defensemen who has some experience and lets drop the puck.
by InTheCorners on Aug 11, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i think dubi will get around 20-25 goals…he shouldve had 20 last year but he missed quite a few opportunities…hopefully this year he will bury more of those chances…playing with gabby fits dubi’s style a lot more i think
by nutz_35 on Aug 11, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he shoulda had 50 last year
with all the flubs he had through the middle of the season
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 11, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trying to be optimistic, but...
I’m usually one of the more, “pre-season”, optimistic fans that I know of, but I’m having trouble this year. I think it’s the fire-sale of anyone defensive minded.
I’d love to expect 25-30 scores from Dubi this year, but does anyone else see him taking the role of the defensive minded forward? I don’t recall seeing anything that should make me believe he’s god more than 20 in him.
Believe me, I love this kid and want him to become a real first liner, I just haven’t seen it yet. My 7 year old played hockey with him and he is truly a special guy, but until they sign him and he shows more I have to think we still need a proven 1st line center.
by NYdemo on Aug 11, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chemistry is key
I like dubinsky because every year he’s played on 3 different lines and got hot.
Will he have good chemistry with higgins and gaborik? If you guys recall he sparked the team with avery and jagr, in a two week span… the next year he does the same thing on a line with zherdev and voros for about two weeks…He never got in a groove because some named GOMEZ was the main center and had to play big minutes because thats what he was payed for, now insert dubi with gaborik and higgins and i say his point totals go up and if he continues to play great in the rangers zone look out. I dont like predictions but i dont want to be left out lol…25 goals, 40 assists isnt a reach, plus9, 200+HITS, 55% in faceoffs. (side ? : does anyone know what kind of game it was dubi scored a hat trick? i dont remember.)
by louielounz1 on Aug 11, 2009 2:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
i think dubs has the tools to be a first line C as long as he isnt the no. 1 guy on the 1st line. as long as he has someone to lean on, whether its gabby or jagr, then i think he’ll be fine. as someone else has said the fact that he really improved his faceoff game last year will only help him along the way. 25-40 sounds good to me, dont forget that assists could be even higher based on how productive gaborik is.
a good question is who is gonna be the lucky one to play besides those 2. ive gone through all the matchups in my head and id like to see avery start off the year there and see what happens. there definitely alot of exciting possibilities though
by Conway on Aug 11, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
2007-2008 season
Wasn’t he on the first line w/Jagr & Avery for a large part of that season? It’s been shown he can handle it before & I think he can do it again, especially since that season was his rookie season.
by BriGuy27 on Aug 11, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
brandon dubinsky
why isnt he signed yet something is very fishy here. look its all about what can he become ? can he be a 45 ,95 guy no not ever can he be a good center and be a set up man maybe the jury is still out on this kid this is going to be a very important year for him to show torts and the team that he is the real deal and not a bust …..
by lohaus#54 on Aug 11, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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