MillionDollarCam

Coming back to eat my crow, apparently the Rangers are good.

Good win for the Yanks tonight.

Not sure if there are any fans of the USMNT and international soccer in general on here; but the U.S. is currently playing a friendly against Morocco in one of their few tune up matches before the World Cup begins in November. Overall, the team is playing decent and though the game has been pretty even, the U.S. has capitalized on their scoring chances. At the half, the USMNT leads Morocco 2-0. Berhalter went with a 4-3-3 GK - Matt Turner LB - Antonee Robinson LCB - Aaron Long RCB - Walker Zimmerman RB - Reggie Cannon LM - Yunus Musah CM - Tyler Adams RM - Brenden Aaronson LW - Christian Pulisic ST - Jesus Ferreira RW - Timothy Weah The bench consists of Weston McKennie, Paul Arriola, DeAndre Yedlin, Luca de la Torre, George Bello, Cristian Roldon, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Sean Johnson. There are also some really interesting guys on the bench today that I hope to see: Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Haji Wright, and Malik Tillman.

Staal has been great for us and it’s been a privilege watching him play over the last decade. With that said, it’ll be time to move on after next year. One player that will be an unrestricted free agent when Staal’s contract is up is Dylan Larkin and I absolutely love Larkin and think he’d be great in Rod’s system. I could get onboard with Aho, Larkin, Kotkaniemi, and Drury down the middle.

Summary of The Athletic’s article from a poster on Reddit… what a clusterfug. Highly encourage reading the whole article, because it brings into clear focus how incompetent Krneta is, but I’ll share a few key quotes: “Multiple sources told The Athletic on Tuesday that Ramirez wasn’t fired for results, which have been acceptable by any reasonable measure, but for his management style and inability to mesh with Krneta.” “Sources said that a group of Charlotte players had issues with what they considered to be an abrasive, stubborn demeanor from Ramirez, with The Athletic’s John Hayes reporting on Tuesday that one of the club’s designated players let it be known that he would refuse to play for the club after they returned from the ongoing international break if Ramirez remained head coach. Multiple sources elaborated on that account, saying that the player in question was Polish striker Karol Swiderski, and that he delivered his message to Krneta.” “Other Charlotte players, they said, were in Ramirez’s corner, with several going to his residence on Tuesday to speak with him following the announcement.” “Regardless of whether they liked or disliked Ramirez, the sources said many Charlotte players understood that there was tension between him and Krneta.” “Others pointed out that Charlotte failed to hit the goals that had been outlined to Ramirez during the interview process. The club still has not announced a plan for a training facility; the team continues to train at the practice fields of the Carolina Panthers, which, like Charlotte FC, are owned by David Tepper. One source said that Ramirez was also made to expect big-name, big-money signings that, apart from Swiderski, have not yet come to pass.” “There is also a perception from sources at other MLS clubs that Ramirez was doing an excellent job with what he was given. That likely contributed to Ramirez’s surprise at Tuesday’s move, which was delivered by Krneta in a swift meeting, said multiple sources familiar with the situation. Those sources also suggested that prior to that discussion, Ramirez had not had any conversations with the front office about his performance. Krneta told reporters that the decision to fire Ramirez was unrelated to Charlotte’s 2-1 loss to Seattle on Sunday. The players were also surprised by the decision, according to sources.” “Multiple sources confirmed a report that Krneta had directed the players to not comment about Ramirez’s dismissal or offer the coach support on social media. This was a demand that wasn’t well received by some of the players, and one that underscores Krneta’s own approach to governance at the club.” “But the fact that personality conflicts were the main cause for the dismissal raises questions. If the club wasn’t up for his attitude or if the organization thought he would clash with the players they were targeting, then he probably shouldn’t have been hired in the first place. He’s a young coach, but this wasn’t Ramirez’s first job. There was a book out on what he was like as a manager before he came to MLS. It was on the club to ensure that his style and preferences matched what they were trying to build.”

USA takes on Morocco tonight in a friendly, we are closing in on the World Cup.

I for one loved how honest MAR was and his quotes were hilarious. A nice change of pace from Rhule.

I think Necas is a case of a player just not fitting the system. He’s a lot like Elias Lindholm in my opinion in that he’s a good skater who likes to get up and down the ice. Ideally, you’d play him with two other forwards who are good skaters (Aho and Jarvis) but even then, I’m just not sure if he can play a strong forechecking game. If we can acquire a top four defenseman for him without adding to much (i.e. Drury, Morrow, or Kochetkov) then I’d go ahead and make the trade. I’d only sign Necas to a bridge contract (2x$4.25M) and even then if he doesn’t bounce back next year then he holds no value whatsoever which makes it really tough to keep him this year as you want to at least get something out of him.

This 100%. Nino is a Rod guy and I think eventually he and Drury could form a hell of a third line with some other winger in a couple of years. I like Trocheck but he’s getting older and I don’t think there is room to keep him for what he provides. As far as Necas, he either takes a bridge or you trade his rights. Worst case, someone offer sheets him and you get compensated. A mistake would be giving him a 5x$5M.

So Swiderski got MAR sacked… if he doesn’t impress when he gets back from Poland then I’m going to be pissed… this isn’t the EPL for fug sake… MLS players should have no control over the front office moves.

Have to buy AHL TV.

Kochetkov is headed back to Chicago to help the Wolves win the Calder Cup.

Now it will definitely take more… it would have to be Necas, Raanta (for cap reasons), a first round pick, a second round pick, and probably B+ prospect (Suzuki, Rees, or Koivunen).

Forwards are definitely a concern but I think the Canes made their bed when they elected to give Kotkaniemi an eight year extension. He’s getting paid like a good 3C which he probably will be, but because of additional needs, he might need to play 2C next year. An elite goal scorer is a need for this team so Gaudreau or Forsberg should be on our short list but if we add them and then resign Nino to a team friendly discount ($5.25) and then sign TDA to a team friendly discount ($4.5M) then we’ve exhausted all our cap depending on what we do with Necas.

Well RBA isn’t going to come out and grill his own players, he’s not that type of coach and never has been. Bear could hardly crack the lineup during the regular season and didn’t even sniff the lineup during the playoffs. Using Lorentz as an example just furthers my point, he played him when he had to… he never had to play Bear and he still doesn’t as we can upgrade that position. Cole was horrible and Smith was meh and yet Bear still couldn’t get a shot. Bear’s QO would be $2.5M and I can damn well guarantee you that the Canes won’t pay that in the current situation they are in regarding the cap. Chatfield showed that he’s ready and can play in the league so he should be up next year and at the very least Keane can serve an extra. However, you don’t want to set Chatfield up to fail by pairing him with a poor line mate. It’s time to upgrade the defense again with a top four defenseman. Slavin - Pesce ??? - TDA Skjei - Chatfield Personally I think we should have traded Necas for Chychrun during the season and I definitely think we need to revisit now.

That top four just isn’t good enough. Skjei regressed as the season went on and TDA is ideally a second paring defenseman. The Canes need another top four defenseman, plain and simple. Also, which experts? It appears that RBA doesn’t disagree with me.

Bear was and is awful, there’s a reason he didn’t play in the postseason, the Canes desperately need another top four defenseman.

Tepper is a fugging idiot.

Uhhhh… what the hell is going on.

Johnny Hockey would be a great add but he’s going to command a lot of money that would likely price us out creating a competitive roster. A lot depends on KK, they need him to develop into a 60 point two way center that can play in the top six. If he doesn’t then we could be in trouble next year as I don’t think we can afford a player like Johnny Hockey and a 2C. Keep in mind, the Hurricanes will also need a 3LW, and a 4LW. They’ll also need to resign TDA and ideally upgrade the top four (I’d do it via trade). Svechnikov - Aho - Teravainen Gaudreau (FA) - Kotkaniemi - Jarvis Niederreiter (FA) - Staal - Fast Aston-Reese (FA) - Drury - Martinook Noesen (FA) Slavin - Pesce Chychrun (Trade) - DeAngelo (FA) Skjei - Chatfield Keane (FA) Andersen Kochetkov - The SAT line that had a lot of success is reunited. - An elite winger in Gaudreau is added and Kotkaniemi is elevated to 2C. Hopefully playing with Gaudreau and Jarvis would allow him to develop into two-way sixty point player. - Nino takes a team friendly deal and is brought back. - The Canes add grit in Aston-Reese and Drury is elevated from Chicago. The Canes also bring back Stefan Noesen who lit it up in Chicago this past year and can fill in for Aston-Reese. - Slavin and Pesce are reunited. - The Canes ship Necas, Raanta, a first round pick, and a B+ prospect like Jamieson Rees for Jakob Chychrun and DeAngelo is resigned. - Chatfield is brought up from Chicago - Keane is resigned to be the 7th defenseman. - Kochetkov replaces Raanta In: Gaudreau, Niederreiter, Aston-Reese, Drury, Noesen, Chychrun, DeAngelo, Chatfield, Keane, Kochetkov Out: Trocheck, Necas, Domi, Lorentz, Stepan, Bear, Cole, Smith, Raanta This would likely take the Canes all the way to the $82.5M salary cap.

If everyone plays their natural side it would look like: Slavin - Pesce Chychrun - TDA Skjei - Chatfield And Gardiner is going to have to go back to LTIR for the last year of his contract or we ship him out and unfortunately attach a pick to him to get him off our books.

In the NHL, you can trade an RFA’s rights. Essentially Carolina would work a deal with Arizona for Chychrun and behind the scenes Arizona would agree to a contract with Necas. Carolina would then trade Necas’ rights for Chychrun and then Arizona would sign Necas to a contract while avoiding any sort of offer sheet nonsense.

I’d like to see… Svechnikov - Aho - Turbo ($21,610,250 cap hit) Forsberg (FA) - Kotkaniemi - Jarvis ($14,714,167 cap hit) Niederreiter (FA) - Staal - Fast ($13,250,000 cap hit) Deslauriers (FA) - Drury - Martinook ($3,625,000 cap hit) Slavin - Pesce ($9,325,000 cap hit) Chychrun (Trade) - Skjei ($9,850,000 cap hit) Chatfield - DeAngelo ($4,762,500 cap hit) Andersen ($4,500,000 cap hit) Kochetkov ($842,500 cap hit) - Reunite the SAT line - Forsberg adds a young scoring threat and playmaker to our roster. KK would have to be the second line center in order to afford someone like Forsberg. With KK’s cap hit, he realistically needs to be the 3C at the very minimum anyway - Nino takes a team friendly deal to come back to Carolina - Drury is elevated to the NHL and we sign Deslauriers to be the sandpaper that this team desperately needs - Reunite Slavin and Pesce - Trade Necas and picks/prospects for Chychrun - Resign TDA, and elevate Chatfield - Andersen returns as the starter and Kochetkov is elevated

Lots of question marks… UFA’s - Domi, Nino, Trocheck, Stepan, Cole, Smith, and DeAngelo (according to the Canes contract chart, TDA is a UFA not an RFA) RFA’s - Lorentz, Necas, Bear

Kinda wonder what would have happened if Raanta didn’t get hurt. Raanta hasn’t been good but not sure that New York gets 5.