Brandon Dubinsky’s Return Gives Columbus Blue Jackets Three Solid Lines

Yesterday in practice Brandon Dubinsky skated with third line giving the Columbus Blue Jackets great depth.

Brandon Dubinksy looks set to return to the lineup for the Columbus Blue Jackets after sitting out six weeks with a broken orbital bone. Since a fight with Zach Kassian on December 14th, the Jackets have been without an important player that solidifies the lineup down the middle.

Dubinsky has been back in Columbus three days longer since the rest of the Jackets after leaving Las Vegas ahead of the Jackets 6-3 loss in the desert. There is still a mountain of speculation and rumor surrounding the reasons why Dubi left early. We will join in the speculation.

Dubinsky did vaguely address the situation in a post practice press conference yesterday.

At the end of the interview Dubinsky notes that he is ready to return and could tonight agains the Minnesota Wild. If not, it appears he will “1000%” be back to take on San Jose on Friday.

Return Gives Jackets 3 Legit Lines

Brandon Dubinsky will slot in on the third line with Matt Calvert and Oliver Bjorkstrand when he returns. Thats an above average NHL third line that give the Jackets some scoring punch, and a lot of defensive juice on the same line.

This team is a serious Cup contender if the Brandon Dubinsky of last season is on the third line. He can do it all and will be better than 90% of other NHL third line centers.

That depth down the middle is crucial to controlling the puck and creating scoring opportunities no matter what line is on the ice. Its third line centers that made teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins impossible to beat the last few seasons.

Next: Atkinson Return Sparks Foligno, Wennberg

Hopefully the return of Cam Atkinson continues to spark the second line and the PBJ line keep up their great season. If so, watch out NHL. This Columbus Blue Jackets team could really get it rolling in the second half.