Some Thoughts on Dubinsky and Camp Scrimmage

If you have not already read Larry Brooks's article from this morning on un-signed restricted free agent Brandon Dubinsky, then I suggest doing so HERE. Here is a portion what Larry had to say, making some good points:
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"Players and management each own tools under the CBA. They are there to be utilized; no apologies necessary.

A Group II free agent coming off Entry Level without arbitration rights such as Dubinsky, has no leverage absent an offer sheet. Dubinsky, who recorded 41 points last season and 40 points as a rookie, was not able to attract an offer sheet. If he had, he would have owned the hammer. One can be quite sure Dubinsky would not have apologized if a competing club's offer sheet had backed GM Glen Sather into a cap corner.

Sather thus owes Dubinsky no apology for using the CBA to his advantage. The Rangers have offered Dubinsky $700,000 on a one-year deal when, indeed, Sather could have stood on a qualifier of $522,500.

The Rangers now could reduce their offer to Dubinsky, who is seeking $1.4M, to the league minimum of $500,000 if they so choose.

Could Sather come up to, say, $850,000?

Sure he could and he probably should if that would get the deal done immediately. Let's not pretend that the Rangers wouldn't be better off with Dubinsky in camp. But there is no indication that Dubinsky, who is seeking approximately $1.4M this year, would accept that offer. And the Rangers have no reason to negotiate against themselves.

Fact is, under terms of the CBA, the Rangers are under no obligation at all at this stage of the process to offer Dubinsky a one-year deal of any kind that would serve as a bridge to salary arbitration next summer, when the center could be in line to get $3-3.5M off a good season."
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What Larry is saying here, is what I have been preaching for the last few months. Brandon Dubinsky should take the money he is being offered, and play out the one-year contract. For some reason, Sather will not budge when it comes to the money he will give Brandon, and Dubinsky needs to realize that. It may be under one million, but that is what one-year contracts are for. Prove yourself, and show the Ranger Brass that you can be a 20 goal scorer, or at least live up to what is expected from you, and then come and ask for the big paycheck next summer.

Do not get me wrong, I am not opposed to giving Dubinsky a $1 million contract, but as I mentioned, Sather does not want that much money going to the young centerman. Both head coach John Tortorella and GM Glen Sather have been quoted on saying that Dubinsky is their best option for the center position on a line with star winger Marian Gaborik. If Dubinsky could think a bit, he would realize that playing with Gaborik would inflate his own numbers, and in reality, make him look like a better player than he actually is.

Dubinsky has the potential to be a thirty goal scorer in this league, but has not proven that yet, and has not even reached twenty goals just yet. But, if he can reach the twenty goal mark at the very least, he will see a pay day next off-season.

Now, away from all of the Dubinsky drama, the Rangers that are not playing in tonight's pre-season contest against the Bruins at 7pm, were instead preparing for tomorrow's game against the Devils by participating in a scrimmage. Here is a brief summary of the scrimmage, courtesy of Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants:
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"The White squad rallied for a 3-3 tie against the Red in this morning's scrimmage (no Marian Gaborik but the right wing is expected to be on the ice later today for practice) as Ryan Bourque sent home a shot in the waning seconds against Chad Johnson.

Red, which got two goals from Sean Avery off assists from Vinny Prospal (could definitely see those two on a line together if Brandon Dubinsky stays away and Prospal is moved to center), took a 3-0 lead on Henrik Lundqvist before White's second-period rally.

The scrimmage was not nearly as physical as the second one yesterday, though Avery joked as he left the ice that the referees were already screwing him by letting opponents get away with penalties against him.

Prospal first fed Avery with a crisp head-man pass from center ice, springing Avery for a first-period breakaway against Lundqvist. Later, Lundqvist sticked aside a shot by Avery after Avery skated around Klassen.

Also in the first period, Werek took a stick to the face on a faceoff, though he missed wide on his free shot from the slot, which substituted for power plays. Urquhart converted on his penalty shot to give Red a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

Lundqvist's scrimmage ended a few minutes into the second period after Prospal centered Avery from behind the net and Avery placed a wrist shot past the goalie for a 3-0 lead.

But White rallied as Bartek beat Johnson from the right, Corey Potter sent in a shot that might have been deflected past Johnson and Bourque completed the rally."
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Prospal and Avery are the two most commonly mentioned names in that summary, which is a very good sign. Andrew suggested Vinny and Sean on a line together, so that is something to keep an eye on, as it sounds like they have found some chemistry together.

Still no Gaborik on the ice for the scrimmage because of the groin tightness, but he is expected to be a part of practice which was taking place this afternoon. As I mentioned yesterday, I am not too too worried about Gabs, as he has made it out to be a very minor injury that the Rangers are being cautious with, and I do not blame them.

Check back for pregame, previewing tonight's pre-season opener against the Bruins in a bit.....
(Image courtesy of AP Photo)