Dubinsky Battles, Zherdev Denied, Kessel Update!. Sather Back To Stupid!

As much as I hate the fact that Brandon Dubinsky is holding out for more money, what I hate even more is when people try to take advantage of a person because they have the power or control of a situation.  This is what the Rangers are doing with Brandon Dubinsky.

Last year Brandon was making $635,000 for the season, including bonuses.   The 23 year old 6’1 205 lb center has most definitely proven that he can play with the big boys of the NHL.   He is a very decent power forward who loves to play physical and takes advantage of every opportunity to drop the gloves.  It is safe to say he earned his pay check and then some.

In the past two years, Brandon has not fully blossomed nor has he put up the big numbers that was expected of him.  He tallied 40 and 41 points in those two years. Playing a long side Jagr , Shanahan and Naslund,  Gomez, Drury and Zherdev. One would think his numbers would have been better and maybe this is true. 

But how can you blame Brandon  or Zherdev , or even guys like Freddy Sjostrom  and Petr Pruka who was traded. When the whole team as a whole was having scoring issues.  Based on poor management  and terrible coaching, that built on a team around over rated big name players  like Scott Gomez  AND Chris Drury who in the last two seasons have not earned a penny of their outrageous contracts.

But what Brandon has proven is that he is a very good defensive forward who has speed , toughness , ability and that he is a player that gives his all each and every game.  He was a huge part of the Rangers penalty killing unit that was ranked FIRST in the NHL.  In the 2007/08 playoffs he scored 4 goals and 4 assists in 10 games.  When he was needed to step up he did .   When he was on the ice , he made his presence known with his physical play.

Now I am not a big Dubinsky fan. But for those of you who know me and my writing, know that I tell it like it is regardless and I do not show favoritism in any way shape or form,  and even when I do not care for a player, I give credit where credit is due. What the Rangers are doing to Brandon is just straight out wrong.

The Rangers offered Dubinsky a one year deal for $522,500. A deduction in pay of $ 112,500. A deduction! Or you kidding me?  Three days ago they offered him $700,000.  A $65,000 increase.   Blair Betts who couldn’t score a goal if his life was on the line and had no aggression what so ever, and was afraid to check someone was getting paid $750,000.  Aaron Voros  has a three year deal for 1 million per year.  Stephen Valiquette is getting $750,000 and he was lucky if he played 30 games throughout the season.

How about the great players like Pavel Valentenko ,  Thomas Kundratek,  and Tomas Zaborsky.  Right now you are saying who the hell are these guys.  That’s right who are they?  They are 3 players who are on the Hartford wolf pack , along with 11 other players in Hartford that will be making more money than Dubinsky. All who have not seen a second in the NHL.  

Coach Tortorella actually took sides, stating what Dubinsky is doing is a bad mistake and stupid and that Brandon needs to understand  the process of becoming a pro.  Again , are you kidding me?  Maybe Tortorella  should keep his mouth  shut and stick to couching.  Brandon is a pro who will indeed have a breakout season and it is the Rangers that are not allowing Brandon to participate in the teams practices not Brandon.   

As much as i am against players holding out for more money and as much as i wish he would just sign the deal. I do understand where Brandon is coming from. The worst part about it is , he is not asking for a lot of money and is requesting a multi-year deal.

The Rangers re-signed Ryan Callahan 2.3 million a year.  Other then the positions they play, and Ryan is more aggressive, the two players are equal in points , ability, defensive , and offensive talent. I am a major Cally fan, and after thinking this one through ,  Dubs should indeed receive the same pay as Ryan.  Or at least  give Brandon what he is asking for. Which is 1.4 million and a multiyear deal.  This is a no lose situation for the Rangers.  They can lock him in with the muti-year deal at only 1.4 million.   But the rangers are taking full advantage of Brandon, due to the fact that they hold all the cards.

It was believed that the Rangers didn’t want to give Brandon the raise do to the fact that they were trying to aquire Phil Kessel.  Well the Rangers are not pursuing Kessel at this time.  There for that is not the reason.   

Sather Has done some pretty stupid things in his career as GM .  We can add this one to his long list.

Brandon, tell your agent to find you a new team that will appreciate your talents! Either that or sign the deal, have a great year and make them pay double to keep you next year!

It is believed that Nikolai Zherdevs’ agent called the Rangers organization offering Zherdev to return for the Rangers original offer of 3.2 million a year. The Rangers refused.  If this is true, and they were willing to sign him before at 3.2 mill.  Than why wouldn’t the sign him now. They are not going after Kessel, you know Zherdev is good for 25 plus goals , never mind what he would tally in assists if lined with gaborik.   If the Rangers put either Prospal or Anisimov at center  and ZEE at left wing, that can be a very dominate line. That just does not make any sense at all.

Let us just say Zee had issues with not showing up for every game.  You know Tortorella will not stand for it. Never mind the fact that Tortorella is the type of coach, whose players progress and develop under his tutelage.  Everyone knows the ability and talent Zee brings.  A one year deal to see how he progresses will not hurt. In fact you just improved your team greatly by having him on your team.  As he has proven last year, His play increases other  players ability on his line.  This is another cannot lose situation for the Rangers. 

I am sure I will get plenty of negative feedback on this one.  But I stand firm, on the fact if Zee has a good , hard couch, like Tort and a leader on the team that will step up and assist. Zherdev will break out with a monster year.  If not I will be the first to say it.  Bottom line he is too good to pass up.  Especially when the Heatley deal is done, and Kessel is out of reach and is no long being pursued. Zherdev is their best bet. Another dumb move by Sather to add to the list!

Zherdev just maybe the missing piece to the puzzle.