Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Brandon Dubinsky Latest Casulty, Out 3-4 Weeks With Fibula Injury


Kevin Allen is reporting via twitter, the Rangers will be without Brandon Dubinsky for 3-4 weeks with a stress fracture in his fibula. 

As if the Rangers have not dealt with enough injuries so far this year, they get one now to the best forward all season.  Dubinsky leads the team in goals (17), assists (21), and points (38). He also averages more than 20 minutes per game, almost a full minute more than any other forward on the team, and that’s because he plays in all situations.  This is yet another huge loss to a club that has already suffered through losing Drury, Callahan, Prospal, Christensen and Gaborik for significant stretches this season.

At some point you have to wonder when a team that was short on talent to begin with runs out of answers for this level of injury not just in number but in the significance the players have to the team.  Being without both Dubinsky and Callahan for these five games leading into the All-Star break is a huge test for the Rangers to maintain their overachievement to this point in the season.

If there was not enough pressure on Marian Gaborik to step his game up and produce offensively there certainly is now.  This also amps what the club is asking of youngsters like Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan up yet another level.