RMNB | Russian Machine Never Breaks

NHL and NHLPA investigating Mike Babcock phone controversy as previous Leafs player openly criticizes former coach

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock is back in a fire of his own making this week after a story dropped on Paul Bissonnette’s Spittin’ Chiclets podcast Monday regarding peculiar behavior with Blue Jackets players’ cell phones.

Now, both the NHL and NHLPA have begun investigating the controversy, with Bissonnette and Babcock each maintaining their sides of the story. One of Babcock’s former players chimed in, former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Frankie Corrado giving his take on the First Up radio show.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

2 Comments

Connor Bedard has never eaten fast food in his life: ‘He hasn’t eaten at McDonald’s or anything yet’

What does it take to be considered a generational talent and be the unanimous number one overall selection in the NHL Draft? Apparently, never touching a Big Mac and french fries.

Connor Bedard, who the Chicago Blackhawks made the first pick in the 2023 draft, has never once eaten fast food in his life. How do we know this information? His mother Melanie revealed the news in an interview on NHL.com last March.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

1 Comment

Tom Wilson meets up with Sidney Crosby, balances 18 pucks on stick during strength test at NHL Media Day

Fresh off of his seven-year contract extension, Tom Wilson was the Washington Capitals’ representative at the NHL’s Media Day in Las Vegas.

Like other NHL players in attendance, Wilson completed a strength and balance test with a hockey stick as well as have an encounter with longtime Pittsburgh Penguins rival Sidney Crosby.

The league and its media outlets use the event as an opportunity to film interview content with players and prepare promotional material for the upcoming year.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Washington Capitals announce public ‘garage sale’ featuring old giveaway items and merch

What’s that saying? One person’s trash is another person’s treasure?

The Washington Capitals will attempt to turn their overstock items into smiles on fans’ faces on Saturday, September 23.

The team will be holding a public garage sale during training camp where old giveaway items and merch like bobbleheads, T-shirts, posters, and hats will be available for purchase.

All funds raised will benefit the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Spencer Carbery on Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha: ‘I have great belief that they’re going to come in, be highly motivated’

As Spencer Carbery starts his first season in Washington, he’ll attempt to revitalize a team that failed to make the playoffs this spring for the first time in nine years. The Capitals’ bounce-back will depend in part on forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha, who both struggled last year. Though Kuznetsov and Mantha were apparently on the trade block this offseason, no trades have yet materialized.

Carbery spoke on the pair during a podcast interview on Mike Vogel’s Break the Ice, where he walked through his plan to help both players return to form.

(more…)

By Katie Adler 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

The Capitals could end up playing on the National Mall after all

The National Mall is ready to host a hockey game…sort of.

After rumors have swirled in the past about potential attempts to play hockey outdoors in the shadow of the Washington Monument, the NHL is finally open to having games played in places like The Mall or Central Park. Just not in the way you would think.

According to a report from ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, the league is planning on using the puck tracking technology that featured in last season’s popular Big City Greens Classic between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers to expand possible viewing feeds of games.

The “alternate feeds” would feature virtual players, real-time puck tracking, and the ability to showcase games “anywhere.”

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Mike Babcock reportedly asked Columbus players to come into his office and show him photos from their cell phones

Mike Babcock got his first NHL job this past offseason after a multi-year absence from the league caused by toxic, abusive off-ice behavior that led to his dismissal from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019.

The Columbus Blue Jackets took the chance on Babcock perhaps learning from his prior mistakes and signed him to a two-year contract in July. If emerging reports from NHL on TNT analyst and former NHLer Paul Bissonnette are true, it’s questionable if Babcock has learned anything at all from his previous controversies.

Bissonnette said that one of the first things Babcock did in charge of Columbus was call team captain Boone Jenner into his office and ask to see the photos on his personal cell phone.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

6 Comments

Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov loaned to HC Sochi after only skating six minutes in first four games of KHL season

Matvei Michkov has not had the start to his 2023-24 KHL season that he would have wanted. The 18-year-old Philadelphia Flyers prospect was scratched for SKA St. Petersburg’s KHL season opener on September 3 and his fortunes have not really changed since.

Through four games, Michkov played only once. In his only appearance, a game against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Michkov played just over six minutes (6:12). That has led SKA St. Petersburg sending the young forward back on loan to HC Sochi for the rest of the season.

Michkov made the same move last year after playing just three KHL games for SKA St. Petersburg.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

0 Comment

Monumental Sports Network announces documentary of Hershey Bears’ Calder Cup championship run: ‘Sweeter by the Dozen’

Monumental Sports Network, the rebranded NBC Sports Washington, announced a new documentary that will be airing this week.

Entitled Sweeter by the Dozen, the special focuses on the Hershey Bears’ successful chase of the franchise’s 12th Calder Cup. MSN released a 15-second, trailer that includes behind-the-scenes footage of the Bears’ overtime, Game Seven win over the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Sweeter by the Dozen will first air at 6 pm (EST) on Thursday, September 14.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

1 Comment

Former Capital Zach Fucale on playing with Alex Ovechkin: ‘I learned a lot from being around him’

Alex Ovechkin is one of the NHL’s greatest players. As he chases the record for most goals in league history, Ovechkin leaves another impact on his teammates around him. Former Capital Zach Fucale didn’t spend long playing behind the Great Eight, but the experience left an impact all the same.

Fucale, who served as the Hershey Bears’ backup goaltender during their Calder Cup run, signed with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk over the summer and made his KHL debut earlier this month.

He spoke on his time with Ovechkin during an interview with Russian outlet Metaratings.ru.

(more…)

By Katie Adler 2 weeks ago

0 Comment