Dubinsky confident at contract crunch time

The Wednesday group informal skate is over and there's just one tomorrow before training camp opens for real on Saturday. Brandon Dubinsky is sure he'll be on the ice for that - new contract completed - but, again, this is the same confidence he displayed last week and still no announcement on a new deal.

Dubinsky, while joking that maybe he should file for unemployment, seemed a little unclear on what the procedure might be if he didn't have a contract by Saturday. Theoretically, he could show up as a camp invitee but he would have to provide his own insurance and would be skating for free. That's something Brendan Shanahan declined to do last season.

"We're not even crossing that bridge," Dubinsky said. "That certainly won't be the case. We'll be fine."
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"Something has to give," Dubinsky added, referencing the start of the NHL free agency period. "This is like my July 1, these next two days. A lot of stuff can happen in two days."

Dubinsky, who has been skating three to four timees a week since early July, said missing the group sessions last Thursday and Friday had nothing to do with his contract negotiations.

"It's a long season," Dubinsky said.

So far, Vinny Prospal and Henrik Lundqvist (both who are possibilities for tomorrow's skate) are the only Rangers' regulars not to be on the ice for one of the group sessions. Prospal was scheduled to arrive in New York today and Lundqvist was still busy today with some NHL-sponsored media duties.

On the ice today, Christopher Higgins continued his strong showings, banging in a rebound against Matt Zaba as he skated hard to the net, then later roofing a backhander over Zaba.

And, a quick impression of Artem Anisimov, who was fairly impressive as he made his NHL playoff debut in Game 7 of the first-round last season against the Capitals: When he skates past fast, he bears some resemblence to Jaromir Jagr.

Meanwhile, the Rangers' prospects face the hometown Red Wings' prospects tonight at 7 p.m. at Traverse City, where coach John Tortorella is watching the youngsters. The Rangers have split the first two games, beating the Thrashers after a loss to the Hurricanes. A win today guarantees them a game tomorrow.

Comments

[CP (Chris)]

Not that it really matters on the grand scale, but how has Zaba and Chad Johnson looked in these informal skates?

Also, did Anisimov seem to have any chemistry / favor any winger during the skate? I assume they were playing pick-up and, at the very least, developed a little chemistry.

[Rick]

Johnson is in Traverse City.

[Rob from MV]

Time is running out...he better get a contract soon.

[Patrick]

Hey Andrew, just wondering, has McLaren showed up to these workouts yet? If so how has he looked?