Buzz: Dubinsky In Talks
Larry Brooks reports that the Rangers and RFA Brandon Dubinsky are in discussions about reaching a new contract.
The Post has learned the team is in conversations with Dubinsky’s representative regarding contracts of varying lengths, though neither party would characterize the state of the discussions that will accelerate upon the conclusion of Zherdev’s final 96 hours.
Earlier this month, the Blueshirts signed Group II free agent Ryan Callahan to a two-year, $4.6M contract. Dubinsky’s agent is certain to cite that deal — Dubinsky went 13-28-41 last year, Callahan 22-18-40; Dubinsky is a career 27-54-81 in 170 games, Callahan 34-25-59 in 147 games — but Callahan owned the leverage of salary arbitration rights while Dubinsky has no systemic leverage unless he can attract an offer sheet.
The Blueshirts are at approximately $51M of the $56.8M cap. That does not include either Zherdev or Brandon Dubinsky, who remains an unsigned Group II free agent. That number also does not include a fourth center, fourth right wing or sixth defenseman.
…I was under the impression, from talking to various people, that Dubinsky’s contract was going to have to wait until after Zherdev’s arbitration hearing. The Rangers will have more money to spend on Dubinsky or extra players if Zherdev’s number comes in to high and they didn’t want to get into a sticky situation where Dubi has signed but Zherdev’s number comes in lower than expected and they bring him back.
….It was always a matter of patience that certain people just couldn’t handle. Dubinsky will be back as a Ranger and it appears that he will be at the latest, by the middle of next week.
