The Rangers’ smash summer run continued Thursday with the signing of Brandon Dubinsky to a four-year, $16.8 million contract in a deal that allowed the parties to bypass a scheduled arbitration hearing in Toronto.

“I wanted to be in New York, it’s the place I live, it’s the place I love and I want to be here forever,” Dubinsky, who led the Rangers in goals, assists and points (24-34-58) last season, told The Post by phone before flying home. “At the end of the day, I think it’s a home run for me. I hope the team feels the same way.”

The signing of Dubinsky leaves only Ryan Callahan unaccounted for among the Rangers varsity. Callahan has an arbitration hearing scheduled for next Thursday, but this deal establishes a benchmark for the bookend winger that should clear the way for the Rangers and their associate captain to reach an agreement on a long-term contract prior to the hearing.

RANGERS SALARY CAP

Dubinsky, 25, will receive $3.75 million in each of the first two seasons of the deal before getting $4.65 million in each of the final two seasons of the contract. The deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus this year and a $1 million signing bonus next July 1.

The agreement was reached after a night and morning of bargaining between Dubinsky’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, and Rangers assistant GM Jeff Gorton, who was in Toronto to represent the club in the hearing.

“I can’t even tell you how much I’m looking forward to the season,” Dubinsky said. “With all the guys we have coming back plus the signings we’ve made with Richie [Brad Richards] and Mike Rupp, I think we’re going to be a contender in the East; I really feel that way.

“I high have expectations for myself and for the team. The last couple of years we’ve talked about being contenders. Now I truly believe we have the team to do it, not just talk about it.”