The offseason is the time where the rumor mill goes crazy as
there is little actual news to report right now. There is a buzz going around twitter
concerning a rumor with New York Rangers restricted free agent Brandon Dubinsky
potentially ending up with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here is the rumor from BD Gallof of Hockey
Independent
Speaking of rumors, heard #Leafs of a tentative deal in place possibly for Dubinsky who is #NYR RFA. Cost? 1st rd pick, player & prospectMy guess? That's the #leafs offer and Rags more likely to try to hold on and resign him.
Before all Rangers fans either freak out at the idea of
Dubinsky leaving or celebrate because they think he is not worth the money he
wants, let us remember it is just a rumor as was clearly pointed out. Looking at the rumor itself is kind of
difficult for the lack of names involved, but the idea that Dubinsky could net
a first, player and prospect should awaken some Rangers fans to the value
Dubinsky is seen to have around the league.
For Burke he gets a top six forward that fits the mold of
player he likes as he heads into the prime of his career and improves his team
today. Burke is not afraid to overpay
for the player he wants, and one would suspect a move like this for Burke is
not about Dubinsky alone, but further enticing Brad Richards to go to Toronto. A line of Dubinsky-Richards-Kessel would be
lethal and certainly make Toronto a likely playoff team next season. Even if they failed to lure Richards, having Dubinsky, Kessel, Kulemin, Grabovski, MacArthur in the fold gives the Leafs a very solid forward group.
For the Rangers this kind of a deal would come down the
players involved and what the atmosphere around contract negotiations with
Dubinsky is like. Having teams this interested in Dubinsky gives both sides of the contract negotiations an element of leverage as it shows the Rangers that other teams will pay Dubinsky what he likely wants, while showing the agents that if he wants to stay in New York that there might have to be some give in the price or they can move him. The key player for
this deal would likely be if Burke was willing to include Nazem Kadri and if he
was the Rangers would have to seriously consider the deal for the potential of
Kadri down the line. Losing Dubinsky
would be a huge blow to the Rangers next season and dent their core, but if Kadri
was to be involved, getting him a first and an NHL player would be an excellent
haul for Dubinsky long-term. In the end I do not see the Rangers letting Dubinsky go because of his overall value to this team.
Rumors are just that until they actually happen so there is no need to freak out or celebrate, depending on your side, until the deal is actually done.
Rumors are just that until they actually happen so there is no need to freak out or celebrate, depending on your side, until the deal is actually done.
