Get To Know a Ranger: Brandon Dubinsky

by David Getz on Apr 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT

[Ed. note: As part of the build-up to the first round playoff series between the Capitals and the Rangers, Japers' Rink will be looking at some of the important but lesser-known players on the Rangers and how they might impact the series.]

Brandon Dubinsky

#17 / Center / New York Rangers

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Born: Apr 29, 1986

Birthplace: Anchorage, AK, USA

Draft: 60th overall in 2004

Acquired: Via Draft

Strengths	Is defensively responsible and a capable two-way pivot. Scores big goals and does whatever his team needs to win. Has leadership qualities.
Weaknesses	Doesn't possess natural goal-scoring acumen, so his work rate cannot let up at any time. Needs to avoid taking bad penalties.
Potential	Second line center.

Regular Season	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
2006-07	6	0	0	0	E	2	0	0	0	9	0.0
2007-08	82	14	26	40	8	79	1	0	0	157	8.9
2008-09	82	13	28	41	-6	112	3	1	7	188	6.9

Playoffs	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2007-08	10	4	4	8	2	12	2	0	0	0	26	15.4

Why you should know who he is - Dubinsky is a player who, in many ways, is tailor-made for the playoffs: he's tough, he loves to battle down low, he's more than capable defensively, and he always thinks about team first. That attitude and drive has translated into production; Dubinsky has been at least as productive in the playoffs as in the regular season in the WHL, AHL, and NHL.

How the Caps can stop him - Dubinsky's success is based as much on willpower as pure skill. If the Capitals can match his effort, both in the offensive and defensive zones, their skill will enough to get the better of the young center.

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Comments

So he’s basically an ugly Brooks Laich type?

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 13, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

So two of the nine Alaskans ever to play in the NHL are on the Rags right now? I worry that their presence will be able to stop our Russians, given that Alaska has always been our first line of defense against the Rooskies.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

It’s not really defense unless it’s got a missile and a cowboy hat. Then again, I guess defense from Russians when you can see them from your house is easy.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 13, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

They can see Russia from their houses! That’s why their so familiar with Russian hockey!

Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.

by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 13, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

That was kind of my joke, but thanks WM and CK for fleshing it out. ;)

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

ya gotta deliver, can’t leave it hanging :)

Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.

by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 13, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

DMG – was this the only picture of “Duby” you could find, or did you deliberately seek out the ugliest picture you could find? If you chose the latter, I hope you continue to do so.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 13, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

I thought that, too. That’s definitely unflattering.

by DrinkingPartner on Apr 13, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s the one that’s automatically used as part of his SBN player information widget.

by David Getz on Apr 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

A statistical sample of one is definitely too small....

Yeah, he’s just an ugly dude.

by Gould Old Days on Apr 13, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

He could center my third line, if you know what I mean.

And by that, I mean replace Nylander on the Caps’ third line. What’d you think I meant?

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of 3rd/4th line centers, did anyone notice that Keith Aucoin was back in Hershey for a meaningless game yesterday? Hmm…

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not shocked. I loved what he was doing for the Caps, but I wouldn’t give him a sweater over Gordon.

by David Getz on Apr 13, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Gordon can’t be ready, yet, though, can he? I thought he was still “weeks away,” at least?

by DrinkingPartner on Apr 13, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Me neither. No chance. But before 87? I think so.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

THW

by Simply Sensational on Apr 13, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Booo

Not enough Antropov.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Apr 13, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Just wait…

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Folks, say what you will, this guy is less a Brooks Laich type and more a Matt Bradley with a little more talent. He leaves it all on the ice, never takes a shift off, works hard, etc. Dunno if he can discuss Newtonian Physics like Brads can…

Anyway, the way the Caps stop him is to pressure him when he, Callahan and co. are out there. Part of the Rangers scoring problem this year is that this guy is their second line center right now. He’s a great effort guy who might win a Cup one day (ideally somewhere other than NYC) but the key to stopping the Rangers isn’t shutting this guy down. Stopping his buddy Callahan is far more important.

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 13, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Folks, say what you will, this guy is less a Brooks Laich type and more a Matt Bradley with a little more talent.

Isn’t Brooks Laich himself a more talented Matt Bradley?

by David Getz on Apr 13, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Brooks has a lot more talent than Brads. Both Brooks and Brads get everything out of their talent. Brooks also can play center, whereas I don’t think Bradley can… Not that Brads couldn’t learn how to play the position.

Also, if you want to get into the puglism debate, Laich is a far better fighter than Bradley (no offense to Bradley, but his record as a fighter is only so-so…Brooks tends to do well in fights.

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 14, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m just going to point out that Laich has been in three NHL fights, the only one that he “won” according to HockeyFights.com was against a blind Jarkko Ruutu.

THW

by Simply Sensational on Apr 15, 2009 3:43 AM EDT up reply actions