Carolina Hurricanes lose in Anaheim, 4-3

There are very few people who get less sleep than I do. I think Mike Maniscalco is on that short list. They were in Anaheim last night and he is back here and I can't believe awake at 2 26 p.m eastern time. The voice of the Carolina Hurricanes, the host of the Canes Corner radio show tomorrow at Backyard Bistro 7 8.

The star, Martin Neches, will be there. How are you, sir? I'm good. I'm good. I feel like a chewed dog toy, but other than that, I'm very good. I actually just read about a new dog toy that makes no noise, but dogs love it.

I'm thinking I need to get a hundred of those. First of all, congratulations on Aaron Judge resigning with the Yankees for not all of the money, but a lot of the money over nine years. That's pretty good.

No, thank you. And I'll be honest with you, that's what kept me up most of the night as we were flying back to the East Coast. Brian Cashman, who I helped give his four year extension, consulted me. That's really why we were on the West Coast. I was just trying to keep him away from San Diego and San Francisco. Apparently, the Padres offered more money than the Yankees did. Well, I mean, we're starting to see that, though. I think that's honestly a trend in sports. I mean, I know that we're not talking about the game, talking about what we want when we say this.

But I think we're going to start to see certain players. And it's not the you know, how much is enough. But if you're comfortable in a place and you're getting that kind of money, I mean, does that extra year at 40 million dollars, is it worth it for you to pick up your life and move across the country? So I think a lot of athletes are starting to figure that one out. Oh, look, I've been saying for a long time that where you play, you know, where you have been successful, that matters. There's a reason you are successful in certain places that that matters. That's why when, you know, when they offered me millions of dollars to leave town, I know that's never happened, Mike. But the other part of that is there are certain cities where you can make up that money. And clearly New York is one of those have far more advertising dollars now thrown at him that he's staying in New York, as opposed to and there's nothing wrong with San Francisco or Dallas or L.A.

But, you know, you can he can recoup that one year, I would think rather quickly. San Francisco has the best calamari I've ever had. I would go there just for the column.

I would fly there for lunch. All right. Let's let's talk about your guest tomorrow night at Backyard Bistro, Martin Neches. And may far be it for me to not not poke fun, but I don't believe he is a hot player anymore. I believe he is simply good. Is that fair? Yeah, I think that's fair. But, you know, good players can stay hot. And I think for tremendous for nature, for him to get off to this. And it's a hot start still.

I'm not a skeptic on this one, Adam. But, you know, let's see it for 82. OK, given us he has given us absolutely zero reason through 26 games to think that this is not the real deal now and this is not what Marty Neches is all about. And, you know, we're in such that microwave society that when a player is a first round pick, if he is not one of the best players on his team and in hockey, I'll use the hockey parlance. If he's not one of the leading scorers on the team within his first or second year, well, what's wrong with him? What?

There's got to be, you know, this is a bust. Why did they draft this guy could have this guy? We have to remember we're dealing with, you know, 18 year olds, 19 year olds, and a lot of times guys who are coming over to North America for the first time. So it might take somebody a year or two or three to unlock everything in a game. And I think that's what happened with Marty Neches. It took him a while to figure out the North American game and then the NHL game. And now that he's got it figured out, the skills were always there. We'd always see the flashes, Adam. I mean, I know you and I have talked about that, but now to your point, to go back to what you said, it's not a flash, it's a fire.

It's caught. So let's see how much he can continue to build on it. And I, again, I have no reason to think this is going to stop the way that he's playing right now, because he has every tool in the toolbox.

You know me, I never miss an opportunity to take a subtle shot at things. And I was convinced at the end of last year that Neches had played his last game for Carolina. I was convinced of it, that they were going to use the talent of Neches, the tease of Neches in a trade to upgrade wherever they might need to upgrade. And, but they insisted at the, all summer long. And I mean, I rolled my eyes at it a little bit, but they insisted that he was not going anywhere. They figured out a trade for a contract for two years. And boy, you know, the adage, the, some of the best trades are the ones you don't make. And I don't know where would they be without them?

That's a, that's a really good question. I mean, I don't think they'd be in second in the Metro division right now. They'd still be a very good team, but I think that all of us, even the most ardent Marty Neches supporters coming into the season, wouldn't have predicted this, uh, that, you know, you would have predicted, you know, maybe he's got, uh, 10 goals at this point in time and maybe 10 assists, you know, 20 points is a really good number, but you know, he's, he's on a pace. He's a point per game player right now. And that, that to me is that's where the elites are in this league. Now, you know, a hundred points is great. That used to be the standard.

All right, you do that. I think anytime you're a point per game player in today's NHL, uh, you've set yourself up with this. And I think the other part too, Adam, going back to this off season, the Kings weren't going to move him just because there was this, well, we haven't seen him hit its potential yet because they can keep him under their control and they know what kind of player he is with the contract situation that he's in. And, you know, he signed that two year deal and I think there was pressure on him last year to try to perform and get that new deal.

And, you know, players, I don't know, players will admit that. Um, but in this case, I think there was a little bit of that, you know, he was playing for this big deal to see where he would fit in. And when it didn't happen, the Kings knew they were going to get a good deal, uh, to keep Marty Natus.

And now they are definitely reaping, uh, the rewards, as you said, and I'm with you, you know, a lot of times we hear, you know, this trade didn't get made and it's the best thing for the organization. I don't know if there was even a serious, I'm sure teams took a run, but I'm not sure if there was ever a serious offer that the Kings front office entertained. I mean, it would have had to have included first round, uh, at least one first round pick. And it was, it probably would have been for either another top six forward or somebody else they could have plugged as a defenseman into their top four. Uh, and it probably would have happened before they made the move for Brent Burns. Uh, well, let's talk about the goaltender Piotr Kuchetkov. Look, I didn't think it was his best night last night.

That doesn't matter. He has been their best goalie through the first 26 games of the season. I like, I'm not wishing that Freddie Anderson stays out longer.

That's not the point here, but when Anderson comes back, there's a conversation that has to be had about how do we, how do we send our best goalie back to the minor leagues? It's Macy's one day sale tomorrow with great deals of the day on gifts of love like 60 to 70% off men's and women's designer overcoats from Calvin Klein and more 30% off party ready junior stresses. Plus get 20 to 60% off the season's hottest toys.

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8 billion miles driven by LEAF owners globally since 2010. Are you not yet available for purchase expected availability late fall subject to change? Well, uh, the, the easy answer for me is you want PR to check off, to get the workload of a number one this year. And I think that was the plan all along Adam, that he was going to get that workload in Chicago. So I understand the way he's been playing. He's made the decision very difficult for Don Waddell in the front office for, okay, what happens when Frederick Anderson gives the green light that he's ready to come back and play that said, um, and I know that we kind of have to leave seasons where they are. So last year kind of needed to stay last year, but, uh, the Kings are very comfortable with Freddy Anderson and auntie Ron says as the one and two for this team. And I think that you let coach Chet cough, go back down and go on this stretch that he is right now with this club, give him the bulk of the games in Chicago. Let's see how he's holding up when he's played 45, 50 games over here.

So, uh, I I'm with you. I think he's played, he's played phenomenal. He's done nothing, uh, that in, uh, the, the world of fairness would say you need to send them back to the AHL other than, uh, if Freddy Anderson is healthy, Freddie Anderson is the number one goaltender for the Carolina hurricanes as well as Piotr has played. So I want him to keep playing games and then get better at that.

So I think that's how you, you do that. When Frederick Anderson says he's, he's good to go and we've been on the road for a long time. So the last I saw Freddie was working with Paul Schoenfelder before practice on his own.

We'll find out if he's progressed, uh, probably tomorrow at practices, he's going to be part of the group. We're still skating on his own, but for me, that's, that's how you address this. If you're the Carolina hurricane, then honestly, I hate this cliche, but it's a good problem to have for the canes that they know that they've got a guy that they can trust in the net to, they might have to send down to Chicago when Frederick Anderson is cleared to play. I mean, he's really has been tremendous and he's fun and hurricanes fans will never forget him going out and going after Brad Marchand last year in the playoffs.

No, and they shouldn't. And that's, that's what I love about his makeup and the end of the King game where, you know, clearly, and I said it on the broadcast last night to trip, you know, the good thing about this is clearly his English is getting better because he understood what was being said. So, um, I love, I love his passion.

And, uh, in, in that position, you either need to have like absolutely no pulse and nothing bothers you or it's okay to be emotional and get fiery in the nets. And he's got that emotional side to him. And not only that, he is fun. Uh, I, for me, he's the closest thing I've seen to Dominic Auchik, where he'll do whatever it takes to make it safe. He is all over the place.

He has been, uh, been a blast. Let me ask you one thing just about this being the 25th anniversary season. Um, like I was, I wasn't here when they move. I was here, I got here the first year. Um, but I became really ingrained in covering the team in 2002 for that, for that was the first year I really became, uh, where I covered basically every game and we were at every playoff game. Um, in your time being around the team and studying the history, what jumps out at you about 25 years here in Raleigh? Uh, the fact that it's a hockey market, uh, and it, and it really is. Um, you know, that is the, the big thing.

And here's the funny thing, Adam. I've been here for 15 years now. So, uh, does you feel old? Oh yeah.

Oh my God. I feel old. Um, but if the Kings win the cup in 0506, then there's the 0607 season.

I get here the next season, baby 0708 season. And you know, the, the old tropes that are thrown by, uh, certain, you know, Canadian columnists and whatever that, you know, hockey doesn't work down here. You know, they don't know the difference between a red line and a finish line, all those things that came out here. And, um, you know, growing up where I grew up in Western New York, you know, I, I, I hear it from, from certain people are like, well, what do they know? And I'm like, this is a hockey market. And I think that that one in 02, the winning the cup in 06, like all of those things have just now made this a place where people get it and people understand, you know, just how much fun when, especially when your team is winning, how much fun watching the NHL can be, but knowledgeable about the sport. And that's to me, what stands out to it. And when it's going good here, Adam, you know, you and I have been in a lot of barns in a lot of buildings and sports, not just hockey.

I will defy you to give me a better atmosphere in a playoff setting than PMC arena when the Carolina hurricanes are playing. I mean, it's just, it's one of those magical places. And that for me is, is really what I take out of it.

And, uh, the other side of it too. And some people will think that this is a slight, but the fact that this area is such a pro college area, you know, and when I just used pro in college in the same way, but I mean, it is so big in college sports that this area embraces the canes. Like everybody who goes to a university embraces their Alma mater. And I think that that's just one of the really unique things about this area and what stands out to me about 25 years of team talking.

I mean, that's actually where I was going to go next. I think it is the best blend because we treat the, like the whole tailgating culture. Uh, and the, this is our team.

You can't say anything bad about my favorite player. It, we, the fans treat this team like it's a college team because we treat college teams here kind of like they're pro teams. Uh, there is that, there is that blend. So, and you know, it's again, one of my favorite lines, you can't do that to our pledges. Only we can do that. Uh, are you, are you excited?

What is that? Did I hear you say the other day that you had not seen the stadium series uniforms yet? Well, I have not. They are under lock and key.

I swear. Unless they've changed. I think I've seen them. Well, that goes back to something that came out during the, if you're referring to what was supposed to happen in 2020, um, I don't know one thing or the other, but I think that the redo, I think that they've been redesigned. Ah, okay. I think I didn't in the marketing people, if they're listening to this, I am extremely sorry, but maybe I'm keeping the mystery alive.

So maybe they owe me for this. All right. So we have these anniversary jerseys and as somebody who must identify players by their Jersey numbers at times, isn't it cool to see the old numbers? We can't get those wrong. I still can't decide. Is that an eight or six? Is it a zero?

I don't know. Is it a three? The, the round numbers because I'm old and my eyesight's not great. Uh, I liked the bigger numbers. Oh, uh, the best thing that's happened to me is those jerseys have come back. Uh, because when you've got like half a second to make a call and I'm like, is that an eight or three or a six? Well, we're just going to say Carolina has the pot and that's around the league. I want to, uh, whoever gets the new Jersey contract, I want to show them everything that Adidas did and Adidas did some wonderful things for the fans, but from the broadcaster's point of view and go, okay, I'm going to sit your mile up. You tell me if you can tell me who that number is.

And I know that, uh, their tricks, righty lefty, how guys take their, their sticks, how guys skate. And, you know, you, you got to watch as much as you possibly can, but goodness gracious, there are some numbers that are, are put out there that I'm like, this is, this is impossible. Can't do it. Uh, I'm happy with the, I'm happy with the 25th anniversary jerseys. Are you going to be indoors or outdoors at the outdoor game at the stadium series game? The stadium series game.

That is a good question still to be determined, but, um, more than likely indoors. Right. Cause I, uh, in the Vaughn, in the Vaughn tower somewhere. Yeah. Cause I figured that I will be wherever you guys are. Uh, so yes, I'm rooting for indoors. Uh, Mike Maniscalco, welcome back from the atmosphere. I can, I can talk to John Brocklow radio engineer and try to set you up ringside.

I mean, that'd be fun. You get the full experience. Thank you, Mike. You're welcome, Adam. I'll see you soon.

Yes. Well, I don't know because we go up to long Island and Detroit back. Like, uh, that's, that's the hardest thing about this road trip to explain to some people is we're still on the road trip, but we're actually physically in Raleigh for two days, go up to long Island, come back. Uh, we're in Raleigh for a day and a half, go to Detroit and come back. And then I think we'll actually have more than as my wife put it more than 51 hours at home. It's incredible.

And four consecutive home games that in and of itself is amazing. All right, Mr. Maniscalco, I appreciate your time. Good luck with Martine nature's tomorrow. I I've heard he's a good tennis player. You could bring that up. He, uh, I actually asked him if he was playing tennis, would he be ranked the world number one right now?

And he goes, no, Rob is still pretty good. I went, well, he's ranked number two. So there's room, there's room above. Uh, all right, man. I appreciate your time. We'll talk to you talk again soon. I'll see you eventually. You got it, Adam.

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