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Blue Jackets’ Dubinsky had equipment held hostage

Brandon Dubinsky

New York Rangers’ Brandon Dubinsky speaks to reporters after a negotiation session between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL, Wednesday, July 18, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

AP

Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky has been where Ryan Johansen is.

As a restricted free agent, Dubinksy, who shares the same agent as Johansen (Kurt Overhardt), was a holdout from New York Rangers camp in the summer of 2009.

The 28-year-old remembers things between the two sides getting so bad that he didn’t have access to his own equipment.

"(Rangers general manager) Glen Sather actually held my equipment hostage from me,” Dubinsky told the Columbus Dispatch. “I’m not sure I should tell you guys that. But I was using rental skates. I was just skating laps, just burning my legs out every day to try to keep my legs in shape.”

After missing eight days of camp, Dubinsky eventually signed a two-year $3.7 million deal.

“Mine was a different situation, but I’m not proud of it,” said Dubinsky. “I’m not going to comment on whether I agree or disagree with what (Johansen) is doing. All I’ll say is, he’s an individual that has got to look out for his interests and his family’s interests. He’s got to make his own decisions.”

Johansen has reportedly turned down offers of $6 million over two years, $32 million over six and $46 million over eigh years.

The Blue Jackets center has gone home to Vancouver while he awaits a new deal.

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