DUBE'S DOPPELGANGER

He's here! He's there! He's every…
Well, you know the rest.
Believe it or not, this wasn't on purpose. Dillon Dube hasn't even seen Ted Lasso. But c'mon. That overly perfect new haircut, combined with the impeccably manicured, yet straight-up feral mane of his?
It sure resembles the clean-cut image of AFC Richmond icon Roy Kent.

"I don't have Apple TV+!" Dube said, 'Phoebe'ly defending why he hasn't watched the Emmy winning comedy that has taken the world by storm. "So, that's my first problem.
"But I might have to get into it now and maybe steal my brother's account. I think I've figured out all his passwords, so I might try to get on."
Within minutes, the photo went viral.
The focus. The aura. The immaculate scissor work that captured the spirit of TV's most relatable character (and by accident, no less).
All of it, magnificent.
The deluge of comments and Lasso-themed GIFs on the Flames Twitter and Instagram accounts really brought it home.
The resemblance is uncanny.
"I definitely see it," Dube said. "But I'm living in my own body, so it's hard to compare myself to anyone.
"We're both pretty hairy guys. That's how I get to compare myself to people - not by looks. Just by the amount of hair they have on their body."
Indeed.
And to be clear: It's all in good fun. But as it turns out, fans weren't the only ones to make note of the fibrous facsimile.
It's already made waves inside the Flames locker-room as well.
"Honestly, we've been talking about it all morning," laughed Rasmus Andersson. "I watch every single episode, every Friday. Until he cut his hair two days ago ... man, they're twins.
"I told Chipsie (Flames Video Coach Jamie Pringle) to bring it up in our video meeting. So, we did a picture of Roy Kent and Doobs, side by side - and they're actually twins.
"It's nuts.
"I've been walking around, singing all day. 'Roy Keeeeent! Roy Keeeeent!'
"He goes, 'Is the show good or something?'
"Uh, yeah, it's great."
For now, anyway, it seems the Apple-free forward won't be making too many trips to the 'Dog Pound.' He's been far too busy to binge much of anything, based on how his off-season went.
On Friday, it was announced that Dube was the 'Fittest Flame' following the team's medical and physical evals earlier in the week, and enters the new season with what he describes as a more positive frame of mind.
In 51 games last year, the 23-year-old had 11 goals and 22 points - a career high at the NHL level after putting up 16 (6G, 10A) the year prior.
In only a few short words in a late-season press conference, the Cochrane native dissected his game - defiantly saying he needed to be better.
It was a powerful moment that caught everyone's attention.
But Dube insists it was precisely the right message - to himself, above all.
"It was straight-up," he said. "That's how it was. I mean, we didn't make the playoffs. …. It was a hard year for everyone individually, with COVID and being a younger guy, it was hard to be back with my family, try to see people, but at the same time, be in the bubble and be staying by myself most of the time.
"I don't think it was harsh. It was realistic. I don't want to be pumping myself up when you have a tougher year.
"Every season, I hope to get a little bit better. It's been that way ever since I was 18. That was my message at the end of the year. I want to come in, be a better version of myself and help the team win.
"Because I don't think I did enough of that last year.
"And I know I'm capable of it."
While it's a fool's errand to read too much into the line combinations this early into camp, Dube has opened the fall schedule on a prickly unit with Mikael Backlund and newcomer Tyler Pitlick.
So far, the chemistry is noticeable, with Dube and the former Coyote skating together for a good portion of the off-season.
With speed, skill and a hearty bit of sandpaper, Dube likes what he sees and can't wait to experiment more in a game situation.
Naturally, it's a big year.
For everyone.
But Dube knows that a quick start is vital - so he's looking to hit the ground running when the games begin to count for real.
"It's been great skating with those guys," Dube said. "You always know what you're getting with Backs. I've played with him a few times before and it seems like every time you're out there, you learn something. He's so good positionally and that makes it easier for everyone to read off him.
"With Tyler…. He obviously brings that speed as a heavier guy. But I was surprised at how silky he is. He has great touch around the net.
"We've got a little something different from each guy right now and I think it can piece together really well.
"But we have to remember - it's early. Really, guys are mostly focused on practicing at this pace and being the best they can be, no matter what line they're on."