Dubinsky, one of the franchise’s most important players since his trade from the New York Rangers in 2012, has barely been seen in Nationwide Arena since the season started more than three weeks ago.
He’s not skating, even on his own. He’s not attending games in Nationwide. He wasn’t at majority owner John P. McConnell’s annual team party. It’s as if he’s disappeared.
“Obviously, I want to be there, it’s just … I don’t know how to put it,” Dubinsky told The Athletic. “When you’re injured, you kind of feel like you’re in the way. The players and coaches are trying to prepare for games.
“For me, with this thing (the wrist injury), I don’t know what the timeline is. I just don’t want to feel like I’m getting in the way over there, interrupting guys’ routines … just to be there.”
There’s no indication he’ll be back anytime soon, either.
Dubinsky said his surgically repaired right wrist is not improving despite five days a week of rehab and treatments. He’s made frequent trips to the doctor, with another appointment set up for this coming week.
At this point, he’s not day-to-day or week-to-week. He’s probably month-to-month.
And though he hasn’t watched a game in Nationwide Arena yet this season, he’s watching them all on Fox Sports Ohio.
“It’s sad that you’re not out there competing with your teammates, but I can’t take my eyes off it,” Dubinsky said.
“These guys have a chip on their shoulders. Everybody’s counted them out — counted us out — since we lost some key guys. But we still have a good group of players and guys who can produce. It’s a fun team to watch. This is a group that believes in itself, and sometimes I think that’s the most important thing.”
Dubinsky said he still believes he’ll return to play another NHL game, but there’s no target date and only so much optimism one can muster. The NHL is a young man’s game, more now than ever. At 33 years old, Dubinsky is an elder statesman.
But he hasn’t considered retirement. In fact, he can’t even say the word.
“I’m not ready to think about that yet,” Dubinsky said. “I still have two years left on this contract. I still have the drive and the compete to play. I just have to figure out how.
“I won’t give up. I’ll turn over every stone before I even think about that.”