What's the peak for Dubi?

As a Ranger fan there are two guys we cannot get enough of, Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. While neither of them have ever eclipsed the 45 point mark in their 4 years in the NHL, both of them are having what appears to be a breakout season, as Dubinsky has 19 goals and 23 assits for 42 points in 53 games, and Callahan has 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points in 38 games. If these two continue to produce, neither of them should have any problem reaching the 45 point plateau.


But just how good is Brandon Dubinsky? In this his 4th pro season (he played 6 games in 06-07 so im neglecting that), Dubi is about to reach 20 goals for the second time in his career. Still only 24, Dubi can only and will only get better. While he may be more skilled than a player like Ryan Callahan, they both play a similar style of game; they both get in the corners take the body block shots and work hard to put up points. In my opinion, these two need to stay on the same line as they seem to be a perfect complement to each other.

Had Dubinsky played the entire 82 game season this year and not missed any time with injury, he would be on pace for 65 points in 82 games. Clearly, a very big breakout season for a guy whose former career high was 44 points. Dubi has become a pivotal role player on this very young Ranger team, and will very likely receive either an A or the C when Drury is gone in 1 year, and he deserves it. Whether its playing big minutes on the penalty kill, or fighting the Flyers captain Mike Richards, Dubi is going to be one hell of a leader in this organization.

But where does his potential become a reality? At what point can we say, "okay, Dubi put up ___ points this year, your typical Dubi productive season?" I think his growth has much more to do with the players around him than with Dubinsky himself.

In my mind, the ideal line for Dubinsky is playing the wing with Anisimov up the middle and Callahan on the other wing. While this line has struggled of late, I cannot put this blame on Dubinsky. I put it ALL on Anisimov. The 22 year old Russian is in his second season with the Rangers. Putting up 28 points his rookie campaign in 82 games, Anisimov has already surpassed this total with 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 58 games. If this pace continues, Anisimov should end up right around the 40 point mark for the season. Sounds awfully familiar to Dubinsky. At 6' 4" and only 197lbs, Anisimov needs to bulk up and start playing with more confidence, and he will easily produce at the same rate Dubinsky is producing.


Dubi and Anisimov

So if you have a guy like Anisimov able to produce steadily, isn't it safe to say Dubi (along w Callahan) will easily eclipse the 65 point mark every season? Hopefully by the time Anisimov has developed into the player we all hope he can be, he will be a big rugged center w/ superb hands, and will fit in perfectly between Callahan and Dubinsky.

I hate to say it, but I truly feel that Dubinsky's progress is beyond his control. Over the years he has been put with guys like Jagr and Gaborik, and while it may have worked in brief stints, there has been no consistency there. I just get the feeling that his place is on the wing with Anisimov and Callahan, and in a few years every guy on this line could easily be putting up 70+ points.