Enjoy The Pelmeni

There are lots of times where I wonder what life would be like if I were a celebrity. I don't want the celebrity status of a Taylor Swift or a George Clooney because I'm quite certain I'd never the leave the house with everyone clamouring to snap photos and talk to me, but being a mid-level NHL star sounds like it could be a fun life. The guy to the left had that, but his own actions removed that life as his NHL career came to a crashing halt. Luckily for this player, there's a country who doesn't care of one abuses women physically, verbally, emotionally, or any other way, and that country granted him citizenship today. I guess he'll feel like he's finally home?

According to a report in The Moscow Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Brendan Leipsic, seen above, "Russian citizenship under a decree published on the government's website" along with 43 other people. Leipsic, who fled North America after being waived by the Washington Capitals following the discovery of a misogynistic group chat about women in 2020, signed with CSKA Moscow in 2020-21 before playing two seaons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and signing with SKA St. Petersburg this season.

Screenshots from the group chat went public in 2020 and showed a number of hockey players discussing women in rather derogatory terms, but Brendan Leipsic was the player with the most to lose as he was the lone player on an NHL contract. I know that talent isn't always granted to the smartest people, but one has to know that anything posted online is written in ink, especially in the information age. It seems no one informed Mr. Leipsic of this fact.

Having the screenshots posted, the Capitals immediately distanced themselves from Leipsic by waiving him for the purpose of terminating his contract, and then did so once the waiver period ended. That made Leipsic a free agent, but there was no interest from the other 31 NHL teams who wisely avoided the fallout that came from Leipsic's stupidity.

With Leipsic taking his sideshow to Russia, he was all but forgotten until today since he hasn't exactly torn up the KHL in any way statistically. In 167 games with three teams, he's sporting 40 goals and 67 assists - AHL numbers by comparison - while his two goals and two assists in 14 games for SKA St. Petersburg this season is far off his pace that he was showing with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. At least he's playing for Putin's favorite team, though, so maybe citizenship was far easier to grant for the Russian demagogue.

Whatever the case, Russia can have Brendan Leipsic for better or worse. He was a bottom-six player for any NHL team at the very best, but his own stupidity cost him that opportunity. And while he may be making money as a hockey player in Russia, each of those Russian rubles are only worth 1.5 cents on Canadian soil so it's not like he's living in the lap of luxury if he ever returns to his birth country. If anything, he's likely missing out on a pile of wealth after flushing his career in the NHL away for one in Russia because using one's head was too difficult a task for him.

In saying that, enjoy the pelmeni, Brendan. Hopefully, you're happier in your new home as a Russian citizen where you can live out your dreams playing hockey in front of the Supreme Leader.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!