Dubinsky vows hard work in face of rumors

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Brandon Dubinsky has read the rumors. The repeated speculation is that Dubinsky, in the first season of a four-year, $16.8-million contract, will be included in a trade- deadline deal for Columbus' Rick Nash.

"Trades are part of the game," said Dubinsky, who's previously been through the rumor mill. "Until Slats [general manager Glen Sather] calls me and says I'm not here anymore, I'm going to work my butt off. It's all rumor . . . The organization has always been in my corner, [coach] John Tortorella, the management, everybody. It's not like I feel unwanted here or run out of town by any stretch of the imagination."

But he acknowledged that any trade is out of his control, adding that he wouldn't like it because "I love it here."

Dubinsky, 25, who scored 24 goals last season, is struggling offensively in his fifth full season, with six goals and 19 assists in 53 games. "I've got to come in every day and try to get better,'' he said. "I'm trying to put my game in order."

Tortorella said the front office is exploring moves, but he was not specific. "I'm not going to talk about it one way or another," he said. "But every organization goes through it and they have to have discussions. I know the owners and general managers are always looking to improve their team, but there are certain situations and things to discuss as far as chemistry, I'll give you that."

As far as whether the chatter has any effect on the team, Tortorella said: "Our team has been real good as far as focusing on different things and blocking things out and focusing on the job at hand. I think they'll handle it the same way."