Dubinsky excited to be a Blue Jacket

Brandon Dubinsky, one of the newest Columbus Blue Jackets, doesn't expect to be part of a trade rumor again anytime soon.

"Now that it's said and done, it is a bit of a relief that I'm not going to have to deal with those ... at least for the next month or so," Dubinsky said with a laugh at a press conference in Columbus on Wednesday.

Dubinsky, forward Artem Anisimov and defenseman Tim Erixon, along with a first-round draft pick, were sent to the Blue Jackets by the New York Rangers on Monday in the long-expected trade for forward Rick Nash.

"I'm excited to be here and to be a Blue Jacket," Dubinsky said, according to a transcript provided by the team. "I've had an opportunity to talk with some of the guys here, and they all love it here in Columbus. The best part about it right now is the youth we have, and the enthusiasm that we have -- not to mention the skill level that I think this team has. It's underrated, and I think we're going to have a good season."

It will be Columbus' first season since 2002 without Nash, who had been on the block since before last season's trade deadline. Dubinsky's name often was included when rumors mentioned the Rangers as a possible deal-maker.

Dubinsky, a forward whose point total dropped from 54 in 2010-11 to 34 last season for the Eastern Conference finalist Rangers, said he is looking forward to a fresh start.

"I'm not going to make any statistical promises. One thing I will promise is that you'll get the effort, the energy every night from me," the 26-year-old forward said. "I think I bring a lot of passion to the game, and I'll help this team in a lot of areas. … The city looks great so far, and in my short amount of time, I'm looking to find a great place. The guys have been helpful, and the staff I've met so far are all excited and happy to have me. It's always great to be wanted, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity."

He is familiar with several Blue Jackets players, having been teammates on Team USA or in New York.

"I'm coming with Artie, I played with [Nick] Foligno, [James] Wisniewski, Jack Johnson and those guys on the U.S. team. I played with Vinny Prospal and Fedor Tyutin in New York," Dubinsky said. "That's six guys right off the bat and I think six guys that are going to have a huge impact on this team. I received calls from [R.J.] Umberger, [Derek] Dorsett, [Derick] Brassard, and I apologize if I'm leaving anyone else out. They were enthusiastic and happy to have me. That will certainly help me walk into the locker room."

Dubinsky provided a scouting report on the two players he was dealt with.

"[Artie is] very talented, he's big, he doesn't shy away from the physical nature," Dubinsky said. " … I think he's going to bring a lot of offense without sacrificing his responsibility in the defensive zone. He's very capable of playing in all situations, playing wing, playing center. He's really versatile and he's going to help.

"In regards to Tim, I don't know him as well ... last year was his first with the team. He was up-and-down a little bit, but what I do know is that he's a great kid and someone is a sponge, soaking up knowledge. He wants to be a good player. As far as his physical talents, he's a good skater and a good puck-mover -- sort of the more offensive type. As he continues to grow, he's going to be a huge part of this organization as well."