The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that veteran center Brandon Dubinsky had surgery to repair his wrist on Monday.
Brandon Dubinsky is coming off of a long season that started with the World Cup of Hockey in September. He played in two games for Team USA and then went straight to the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp.
The good news is that GM Jarmo Kekalainen said he expects Dubinsky to be ready for this year’s training camp. Recovery time is anticipated to be about three months, which should allow him to be ready this September.
Dubinsky's surgery was to tighten loose ligaments in his wrist. It's a tricky surgery. Told recovery is 3 months "if all goes well." #CBJ
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 31, 2017
An important piece for the next few years
According to spotrac.com, Dubinsky is under contract through 2020-21 with a no-movement clause. He’ll be a big piece moving forward, as he has been to this point, which means a successful recovery is critical.
Currently 31 years old, he will be 34 at the time his contract expires.
If recovering from surgery doesn’t go as well as expected, a lot more pressure will be on fellow center Alexander Wennberg. Considering that, as well as the possibility of center William Karlsson being selected in the expansion draft, the center-ice position for the Blue Jackets will be an interesting case over the next few months.
Brandon Dubinsky has been a reliable force in Columbus for the five years he has been in town. He has compiled 195 points (60 goals and 135 assists) in 307 games after jumping right into an alternate captain’s role.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will need Dubinsky if they want to finally beyond the second round of the NHL playoffs. He is a John Tortorella-type guy whose leadership skills are valuable in the locker room and on the ice.
For now, he (and all of Columbus, probably) will be rooting for the Nashville Predators to win the Stanley Cup.
Let's go @PredsNHL
— Brandon Dubinsky (@BDubi17) May 26, 2017
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