Brandon Dubinsky hasn’t played in over a month, but his season has taken a turn for the worse this week after the Blue Jackets’ trip to Las Vegas.
The ex-Ranger was sent back to Columbus on Tuesday “to deal with ongoing personal issues that have hampered his season and could threaten his career,” sources told The Athletic, amid a four-day stay in Vegas, where they lost Tuesday.
Out since Dec. 12 with a broken orbital bone he suffered in a fight during a game against the Oilers, Dubinsky had practiced with the Blue Jackets on Monday and was believed to be close to a return. The team said the 31-year-old center did not practice Tuesday because of a “maintenance day,” but later said Dubinsky would be away from the club indefinitely.
The Las Vegas Police Department had no police report containing Dubinsky’s name, The Athletic reported. His agent denied Dubinsky was sent home for disciplinary reasons and said his career was not threatened by his off-ice actions.
“He was sent home for medical diagnosis,” agent Kurt Overhardt said. “He’s had several injuries this season. The club and my client decided that this was best.”
Dubinsky, who has three goals and nine assists in 31 games, had begun the year as an alternative captain but was stripped of that position by coach John Tortorella. The former Rangers boss said at the time, “We need more of his play to do the speaking than worrying about a letter on his chest,” according to the Columbus Dispatch.