by LARRY BROOKS , The New York Post

Still, there is no way to forecast how long the center, who sustained the third recorded concussion of his NHL career 49 seconds into Saturday's 3-1 defeat to the Flames on an unpenalized blindside blow to the head by Curtis Glencross while the puck was nowhere in the vicinity, will be out of the lineup.

The news regarding Brandon Dubinsky, the other Rangers' center injured in the match, however, is not good at all.

The Post has learned that Dubinsky is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks with a broken bone in his right hand he sustained blocking a Jay Bouwmeester shot early in the second period.

Thus, the thinnest position on the roster and in the organization has taken on an anorexic look. Vinny Prospal will shift back to center the first line. As of the moment, Artem Anisimov would be the second-line pivot. Unless Brian Boyle is anyone's idea of a third-line center, that spot is vacant.

Head coach John Tortorella could experiment by moving Ryan Callahan into the middle, but that would create a hole on right wing. The Rangers could recall winger Evgeny Grachev from the AHL Wolf Pack if management believes the 19-year-old can handle the NHL two months into his first pro season.

The Blueshirts might also consider shifting Sean Avery into the middle, where he played occasionally for the Kings before coming to the Rangers in February of 2007. That would create an opening on the left, but Tortorella had been giving Avery limited time, anyway.

Otherwise, the options outside the organization appear limited and unappetizing for a team with approximately $865,000 in full-value cap space available and in need of immediate relief.

That number, though, is not written in indelible ink. There is wiggle room with a bonus cushion for Entry Level and over-35 contracts, but overage beyond the $56.8 million cap would be deducted from next season's allowance.

As well, the Rangers could free up approximately $1.2 million by placing Dubinsky on Long Term Injury - he will be sidelined for the minimum 10 games and 24 games required to qualify - but would have to shed that money upon No. 17's return.

Additionally, Aaron Voros' spot on the roster would have to be considered in jeopardy once Donald Brashear is deemed healthy enough to play. Dispatching Voros to the AHL this week would clear another $790,000 of space.

Peter Forsberg, who was held without a point in the three-game Karjala Cup in which the Rangers scouted him, would be unlikely to provide immediate help. He is undecided about his future plans.

There are bad contracts around the league, but the Rangers (thankfully) can't afford to take them.

If there is one saving grace, it's that the Rangers play only four games in the next 12 days, with the next contest scheduled for Thursday at the Garden against Atlanta.

It's believed that Henrik Lundqvist, who sat out in Calgary because of a groin or thigh issue, should be ready to go.

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