The Rangers, who have all the leverage, are using it. Brandon Dubinsky, who has none, is attempting to apply pressure he doesn’t appear to have by staying away from training camp
It’s difficult to envision an end-game to this contractual dispute that will work to the benefit of the 23-year-old unsigned Group II free agent center, who will miss today’s second day of camp, and counting.
“It’s killing me not to be in camp with my teammates. I feel terrible about it,” Dubinsky told The Post by phone from his apartment in the city while the Blueshirts undertook the first series of head coach John Tortorella’s conditioning tests.
“I didn’t come to New York three weeks ago to start skating and training in order not to be there, but we haven’t been able to reach a deal. I don’t want to comment on the negotiations, but this is all part of the business, and it’s unfortunate.”
The Post has learned that the Blueshirts on Friday increased their one-year offer from $522,500 to $700,000. Dubinsky, who earned $635,000 last year, including Entry Level bonuses, is seeking approximately twice that amount.
“I get the team concept, I get the importance of being there with the guys and going through a tough camp with them from the get-go,” Dubinsky said. “It’s not a question of not wanting to be there. Everybody knows how much I love New York and playing for the Rangers.
“I understand what it means to be a team player. It’s just going to take some time. I don’t have a time frame on this, but I’m urging my agent [Kurt Overhardt] to try and work this out as quickly as possible.”
Tortorella said on Friday he would not hold a grudge against Dubinsky if he became the first Ranger since Mark Messier in 1994 to miss camp in a contract dispute. Yesterday, the head coach made it clear he believes Dubinsky is making a bad mistake.
“It’s stupid,” Tortorella said. “He’s a young man who needs to be in camp with his teammates and understand the process of becoming a pro. I’m hoping he realizes that.
“I think his agent is stupid, too.”
Said Overhardt via text: “I’ve been called worse.”
*
Marian Gaborik did not participate in the on-ice sprints due of a tender groin. This is not related to previous hip problems.
“We just want to be careful,” Tortorella said. “We don’t want to do anything stupid. We want to get him ready for the regular season.”
The Post has learned that the agent for Nikolai Zherdev, who rejected the Rangers’ $3.25 million qualifier and then became a free agent when the team walked away from his $3.9 million arbitration award, called the club this week offering to return for $3.25 million. The offer was refused.
Widespread reports that the Blueshirts are engaged in active bidding for Boston’s Phil Kessel are inaccurate.