from Aaron Portzline of The Athletic,

Dubois’ situation went from a brushfire to a bonfire Thursday when the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 center was benched by coach John Tortorella for the final two periods of a 3-2 overtime loss to Tampa Bay in Nationwide Arena.

Yes, the Blue Jackets’ leading scorer last season — arguably the most talented forward on the roster, though he’s off to a rough start this season — finished the game with five shifts and 3:55 in playing time and sat on the bench for the final 44:36.

This could have been the last straw for Tortorella: On Dubois’ last shift, late in the first period, he took nearly 10 seconds to go from the far end of the rink to the Blue Jackets’ bench to make a change.

“I’m not going to have a discussion with you guys about it,” Tortorella told reporters afterward. “It’s not difficult for me. I have to call them as I see them and go about our business on the bench and try to win a hockey game.”

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added 6:03pm, below, watch Dubois meeting with the media today.