Columbus Blue Jackets Brandon Dubinsky Return Doesn’t Change Center Situation
The Columbus Blue Jackets get a much needed center back in the lineup in the final preseason game. But Dubinsky’s return doesn’t really change anything.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have a precarious situation at center right now. Pierre-Luc Dubois is leaps and bounds better on the wing. Lukas Sedlak is fine but only a fourth line option. And until now, Brandon Dubinsky had been nursing his surgically repaired wrist back to full health.
Dubinsky will play in his first preseason game agains the Pittsburgh Penguins in the final tuneup before the regular season. And he is needed. The Jackets have had a noticeable hole up the middle. Dubinsky will certainly help fill that hole but will it be enough?
Brandon is a solid center and provides scoring and playmaking ability. Like this incredible goal that we saw in February of last year.
But will the addition of Dubinsky give the Jackets what they need up the middle to take the next step this season?
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Unlikely.
The 31-year-old Dubinsky is ideally a third line center in today’s NHL. He is tenacious checker and would be superior talent on the third line. He just is lacking in top level playmaking to be a second line center on a Stanley Cup contender.
But with the current state of the Blue Jackets, any serviceable center will do. Barring a trade, the Jackets will start the season lacking up the middle.
Brandon Dubinsky should be in good shape and ready to go for the season. He is loosing long time linemate as Cam Atkinson moves to the top line. Boone Jenner may have to play third line center this year so further turmoil as to who Dubinsky will play with.
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He will likely find himself playing with Oliver Bjorkstrand and either Boone or Captain Nick, depending on who will fill in at center. Brandon’s season success rest heavily on how will Bjorkstrand plays this season. If Bjorkstrand can score at the 5v5 pace he did in the last month of the year, the ice will open up for Dubinsky.
Welcome back Dubi and here’s to a healthy season for you.