The Columbus Blue Jackets will have to wait a little bit longer before ace checking forward Brandon Dubinsky returns to the lineup.

Dubinsky, who's progressing after suffering a setback last week, said after skating Wednesday it's the best he's felt since undergoing abdominal surgery in September, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.

"The last eight-10 inches of your stride, trying to get that power, that's the hardest thing," Dubinsky said of his status.

Though the American-born forward is beginning to feel better, he won't return for this weekend's slate of games against the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks, Portzline reports.

He'll focus instead on cranking up his off-ice training, so long as his core continues to respond well to the increased strain.