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Columbus Blue Jackets 17-18 Season Evaluation: Brandon Dubinsky

By Lansing Murphy |
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Brandon Dubinsky #17 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shakes hands with T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals after the end of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 6-3 to win the series 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brandon Dubinsky;T.J. Oshie
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Brandon Dubinsky #17 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shakes hands with T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals after the end of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 6-3 to win the series 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brandon Dubinsky;T.J. Oshie

With the Columbus Blue Jackets season over it’s time for the Union and Blue staff to give their evaluation of each player’s year.

This time last year the Columbus Blue Jackets highest paid skater was center Brandon Dubinsky. At that time, the 31-year-old was coming off of a 41 point season. The Jackets were convinced that if they could find a top flight center, Dubinsky could be the best third line center in the NHL and they could make a serious cup run.

Fast forward to now and the CBJ look like they are strapped with a massive contract and no future for Dubinsky. The 17-18 season from #17 was the biggest disappointment for the club by far. His 16 points were the lowest in his entire career. The Jackets paid Dubinsky $365,625 per point, a beyond unsustainable number if this franchise wants to go to the next level.

Dubinsky’s season was riddled production problems and injuries as well. A dumb fight late in a 7-2 bashing by the Edmonton Oilers left Dubinsky with a broken orbital bone.

The injury was completely avoidable and cost Duby 18 games. He also now must wear a visor and now the Columbus Blue Jackets have no players that do not wear at least a visor on their helmet.

Columbus Blue Jackets
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Columbus Blue Jackets

Before the December 12th fight he had posted 12 points in 31 games. Not stellar by any stretch but still a respectable 31 point pace for a full 82 game season. After he returned from the broken orbital bone, Dubinsky only scored four points in his final 31 games. Tack on six more scoreless games in the playoffs and it was a disastrous year for Brandon.

Buyout or One More Season?

Many, including myself, wonder if it is time to buyout Dubinsky’s contract. He still has three years at $5,850,000. The 32-year-old had multiple conflicts with Coach John Tortorella and a terrible season on the ice. Not to mention a very vaguely, semi-reported but never revealed incident in Vegas.

According to CapFriendly.com, the Jackets could buyout Dubinsky and save $3.9 million against the cap for the next three seasons but be burdened by a $1.95 million hit for the following three seasons. That $3.9 million could be the key to resigning both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin next season.

But the fact that those contracts don’t need to be signed until next season should buy Brandon Dubinsky one more season in union blue. It will be a challenging year for Dubinsky to find ice time and prove his worth though with fierce competition at center. Dubinsky will be another year older and young players like Alexander Wennberg, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Lucas Sedlak will slot in as centers next season. The arrival of Swedish newcomers Kevin Stenlund and Jonathan Davidsson could push Dubinsky to the wing and even there he will be fighting for ice time.

Next: 17-18 Season Recap: Ian Cole

Dubinsky’s season was beyond a disappointment. Next year will be the most important season for the Alaskan native as he fights for his hockey life and looks to prove his worth and help the Columbus Blue Jackets past the first round of the playoffs.

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