Andrew Ladd's Contract Should Be Basis For Rangers Deal With Brandon Dubinsky

After signing Brian Boyle yesterday, only Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan are left to get new contracts from the New York Rangers.  Since there are now only six days remaining until Dubinsky would get his arbitration hearing let us look at what he might get if a long term deal can be worked out.  Based on contracts given out this summer and previous contracts for comparable left wings around the league it is safe to assume that Dubinsky is going to at least meet if not eclipse the $4 million mark on an annual deal.  The Rangers likely don’t want to go that high, but the combination of the market and his value to the team means that Dubinsky will get that money.

Andrew Ladd, a very comparable player to Dubinsky, just signed a new deal last week that should set the framework for Dubinsky’s new deal in New York.  Ladd put up 29 goals and 30 assists last season to lead the then Thrashers in both goals and points while being the team’s captain.  For Dubinsky the offensive importance was similar as he lead New York in goals (24), assists (30), points (54) while becoming one of the vocal leaders on the team even without a letter on his sweater.

For their careers the numbers are somewhat similar as well as Ladd averages .52 points per game in 402 career games while Dubinsky has a points per game average of .57 in 316 games.  Given that both players are likely better suited for second line roles and play in all situations, but have been forced because of varying circumstances to play against top competition at times the comparison is very apt in terms of contract.

Ladd’s new deal was a five-year, $22 million contract that will see him make $4 million in the last season of restricted free agency and $4.5 million in each of his next four unrestricted years.  The Rangers doing something similar with a Dubinsky the deal would come out to a five-year, $21.5 million contract that has him count for a $4.3 million hit against the cap.  If Sather can strike that kind of deal with Dubinsky it would be a huge win for both as Dubinsky gets paid very well long term and the Rangers keep a key piece of their core for the long-term.