Blue Jackets' Dubinsky expects to return this week

Brandon Dubinsky is apparently doing just fine after all - at least if you ask him.

Despite being sent home by the Columbus Blue Jackets for personal reasons just last week - followed by reports about his career potentially nearing its end - Dubinsky said he's close to returning to game action.

"It feels good," Dubinsky said of his forthcoming return, according to the Columbus Dispatch's Steve Gorten. "I had to deal with some, some medical issues for myself. It's nice to be back in practice and have the opportunity to try to play tomorrow.

"We talked before that (optional) practice (Tuesday in Las Vegas), agreed on some stuff and I came home to look after myself. I had some stuff going on and I just had to take care of it."

Dubinsky hasn't suited up for the Blue Jackets since breaking his orbital bone in a scrap with Edmonton Oilers tough guy Zack Kassian on Dec. 12, but said he'll be back in the lineup "1000 percent" by Friday at the latest.

However, the biggest questions surrounding Dubinsky have still gone mostly unanswered, as the specifics behind his medical issue were never fully provided.

"You guys can speculate all you want. That's up to you," Dubinsky said. "I'm telling you what I'm going to tell you. We're people too. We have stuff that is private to us and we want to keep (it) that way. So that's just the way it's going to be."

Columbus returns to action Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild, followed by games against the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

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