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“I’ve been on the other side of the firepower many times. It’s nice to be on the right side” – Devan Dubnyk on being an Av

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Devan Dubnyk

It looks a little strange, doesn’t it? Devan Dubnyk, a guy Avs fans have always loved to hate, fans who assuredly weren’t yelling “Doooooob” at the Pepsi Center (now Ball Arena) in past games, now will see him in an Avs uniform starting Monday night.

Whether Dubnyk starts Monday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes at Ball Arena remains to be seen, but it sounds like there’s a chance. If not Monday, I would lay some heavy money that it would be by Wednesday night that we see the 34-year-old veteran in the Avs’ crease. Dubnyk can’t wait to play for you, Avs fans. He also can’t wait to have Nathan MacKinnnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabe Landeskog, et. al., playing on his side now.

“I’ve been on the other side of the firepower many times. It’s nice to be on the right side,” said Dubnyk, who did a Zoom call with Avs media this afternoon.

Dubnyk met his new teammates for the first time earlier this afternoon. Last night, the Avs sent for a car to drive him from San Jose to Anaheim – about a six-hour drive – rather than have him get on a commercial flight and all the hassle that entails in this Covid-19 era. He will fly back with the team after today’s game with the Ducks.

As I type this, there is still no official word on who will play goal for the Avs. But it didn’t sound like it would be Dubnyk. He said he will “go over a plan” with Avs coaching staff in the next day or so as to his playing schedule.

Dubnyk, 34, who has won 250 games as a goalie in his career, has not played in front of any home fans this season – as the Sharks are still not allowing them in the building. He said he’s “excited” to play in front of Avs fans, despite many of the “rowdy” games he’s been a part of against the Avs. He had a noted shoving match with Landeskog a few years ago, but Dubnyk said they laugh about it now.

Dubnyk said it’s not for him to try and “unseat” Philipp Grubauer as the No. 1 guy.

“Grubi’s had a great year,” Dubnyk said. “I just want to contribute when given the chance.”

 

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