RMNB Investigates

Should Caps GM Brian MacLellan Have to Answer for the Filip Forsberg Trade?

Photo: Capitals Instagram

Yesterday, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan spoke to the media about the first half of the Caps’ season. A large chunk of the conversation revolved around Mike Green and his upcoming UFA status, which Adam Vingan documented on NBC Washington.

MacLellan was also briefly asked about the lopsided Filip Forsberg trade and what he thought of him as a player. He replied honestly.

“I think he’s played well,” MacLellan said. “Obviously he’s one of the leading candidates for the Calder Trophy.”

He continued, “If you’re asking if I would like to do a do-over [on the trade]? Yeah. Sure.” Then he nodded his head a few times and flashed a coy smile. This became a national story.

Is it even fair for MacLellan to have to answer to this deal nearly two years after it was signed off on by his then-boss George McPhee? RMNB investigates.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov Is Wearing New Gloves with “Kuzy” Inscription

Photo: Frederick Breedon

Last night, as I wrote about Alex Ovechkin fulfilling the birthday wish of a five-year-old at practice, I noticed something in the bottom left corner of Chuck Gormley’s photo. (My crazy art school eagle eyes see all the pixels.) It was a glove, and that glove had a special inscription.

I fired up the RMNB Enhancing Machine.

Turns out it’s Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s glove and it is stitched with the name KUZY. Take a look.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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Why Was Evgeny Kuznetsov Wearing Mike Green’s Helmet? (Photo)

Last night, Peter posted a funny photo of Evgeny Kuznetsov in his game recap. Kuzya’s face was ridiculous, so I made a four-panel zoom-in for our Twitter followers. As I began that process, I discovered something even more ridiculous.

Kuznetsov was wearing Mike Green’s helmet last night.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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Andre Burakovsky Slapped in the Face by Teammate After He Scored Game-Winning Goal (GIF)

Photo: Brad Mills

After being infinity-scratched and forbidden to go to the World Junior Championship, head coach Barry Trotz put Andre Burakovsky back in his natural position on Sunday. He even gave the 19-year-old rookie a comfy spot on the first line next to Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. The move paid off. Burakovsky scored the first game-winning goal of his career in Washington’s 4-3 win over Florida.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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RMNB Investigates: Who Put Those Hats in Nick Backstrom’s Locker

Photos by Chris Gordon.

Nicklas Backstrom is a quiet Swedish assist machine. He sits in the background, setting up Ovi and racking up points. He’s a bit shy, often speaking to reporters siting down and speaking in a soft tone. He’s not underrated. People know Backstrom is good, but he’s just doesn’t flout it at all. That’s why he’s not one of the league’s most recognizable stars, despite the skill and stats to back it up.

But we Caps fans know how good he is. Tonight, Backstrom put on a grand Saturday night production. After not scoring in almost a month, Backstrom registered a natural hat trick, his first three goal game since 2010, as the Caps beat the Bolts 4-2.

There was a present waiting for him after the game. Upon entering the Capitals locker room, Backstrom found his locker filled with the hats thrown on the ice by fans.

“I don’t know who the f—k was doing that,” Backstrom told me. “Someone surprised me.”

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By Chris Gordon 6 years ago

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Why Did Radko Gudas Wear a Full Cage After Fighting Tom Wilson?

Photo: Chris O’Meara

Skating in his second game of the season on Saturday, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson looked to make an impact in any way he could. That included getting in his first fight of the season with Lightning defenseman Radko Gudas after Eric Fehr crashed into Lightning goalie Ben Bishop. Gudas skated towards Fehr, and Wilson was having none of that.

They dropped the gloves. Boys will be boys. Willy Baby unleashed one vicious punch that connected early in the fight. Gudas, who doesn’t wear a face shield (this is important for later), then skated off the ice and went to the locker room.

When Gudas came back to the Lightning bench, he was wearing a full cage.

@russianmachine did @tom_wilso break Gudas' jaw in that fight? He wasn't wearing a cage before it. #Caps #CapsBolts

— . (@clj94104) November 2, 2014

Good question. I looked back on the action and this is what I figured out.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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The Inspiring Story Behind the Girl From Sunday’s Ceremonial Faceoff With Alex Ovechkin

brooke-malakoff-ceremonial-faceoff-ovechkin-sedin

Photo: Jeff Vinnick

The Vancouver Canucks hosted their Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Sunday at Rogers Arena. The Canucks wore purple and lavender jerseys during warm-ups (the color represents all forms of cancer), which they auctioned off during the game. They also had a special guest for the ceremonial faceoff between captains Henrik Sedin and Alex Ovechkin.

So special, I thought I’d tell you more about her.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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Does Tan Text in This Caps Winter Classic Logo Hint at Tan Retro Jerseys?

Graphic via the Washington Capitals

On Monday morning, the Washington Capitals published an article re-promoting the Winter Classic press conference they will host at Nats Park Tuesday at noon. The Capitals will reveal their new Winter Classic jerseys while commissioner Gary Bettman, NHLPA leader Don Fehr, and Caps owner Ted Leonsis speak to the media.

In the article, the Caps embed no photos, but when I looked on Facebook I noticed the team uploaded a simplified 2015 Winter Classic logo image to go along with the article.

And there was one thing that immediately stuck out to me: THERE’S TAN, YOU GUYS.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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What is That Weird Song Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin Are Singing So Poorly?

For those of you whose lives literally stop until we post about that thing Ovechkin just did on social media, I would like to apologize on behalf of the entire blog for being more than 48 hours late on this article. Please forgive us.

You see, on Saturday, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was hanging out with Evgeni Malkin after the “From Pure Heart” charity hockey game. In a dark room, with the superstars face-to-face, Ovi started filming.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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Did Steve Oleksy Change His Number to 62?

Photo: Washington Capitals

Tuesday morning, the Washington Capitals published photos on their Facebook page of Steve Oleksy, Matt Niskanen, and Chris Brown getting in a skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. One of those photos seemed a bit odd to reader Matt, so he sent us a tweet.

@russianmachine Oleksy changed his number from 61 to 62? Looks that way from the pics on Caps FB page. Maybe we're signing Afinogenov 😉

— Matt O'Rourke (@MattORourke) August 27, 2014

Hmmm, yeah that’s not right.

With all the number changes happening recently, I went directly to the source to inquire if all those Binkaholics in the Maryland, Virginia, and DC-area needed to buy a new #62 sweater.

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By Ian Oland 6 years ago

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