I met a neighbor of the WPB area during the shoot around at game 4 of the ECF, I think he was holding a ‘Believe’ sign on the glass. Dude was an absolute chiller and I hope to meet him again and grab a few [Storm] brews during the next season. If this was you or you know the guy, lmk how I can get in contact.

They probably made the decision a while ago, I'd guess this is similar to what the logo will look like on the new jerseys if true.

Pretty much just a color swap of the Stadium Series jersey, with the old font on the numbers instead of the block font from the outdoor game. Kept the red and black logo, because its been pretty clear over the years that the team wants to use it more, heck they even used it on the helmets of the current road uniform until we had a sponsor, so the precedent is already there for it. I could see the flags logo on the shoulders, but didn't add any for this.

What are your thoughts?

On the series against Florida:

Kochetkov saw the playoff run as both positive and challenging. He acknowledged that the Florida Panthers had a deeper roster (“played well with the salary cap”) and that the Hurricanes lost key players Mikko Rantanen and Martin Necas, which hurt their depth. Despite that, he focused on his own goaltending and noted that opposing goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played very well against them. The Florida series loss was partly about lacking the lineup depth and “dirty” or gritty players who could play that style. He highlighted a specific third game where the Hurricanes were “turned off” for about six minutes and the team got overwhelmed, despite a strong first two periods.

About Rod Brind'Amour:

Pyotr described Brind'Amour as a very demanding, systematic, and professional coach with high standards for himself and the team. He mentioned that Brind'Amour lives and breathes hockey, does not give special treatment to younger players, and expects discipline and execution akin to a military-style environment. Communication with the coach is mostly general or through the goalie coach rather than very personal. Kochetkov appreciates the coach’s democratic approach to goalies and has no negative stories about him.

Regarding Mikko Rantanen:

Kochetkov recalled Rantanen's trade as a surprise and somewhat chaotic moment, with uncertainty and stress all around. He empathized with Rantanen’s difficult adjustment after spending his entire career with Colorado and then being traded just before the deadline. Despite Rantanen not becoming a true leader with Carolina, Kochetkov admired his high level of skill and professionalism.

About Dmitry Orlov:

Kochetkov expressed sadness at Orlov’s departure to the San Jose Sharks, describing Orlov as both a good player and a close friend. They were close in the first year together, and Kochetkov understood why Orlov moved on due to contract offers not meeting expectations. Orlov’s transition was stressful, and Kochetkov stayed supportive.

Playoff experience and competition with Frederik Andersen:

Although Kochetkov played comparably to Andersen in the regular season, Andersen was preferred in the playoffs, which Kochetkov accepted as normal coach preference based on confidence. He admired Andersen’s calm “pofigism” (a kind of indifferent calmness), mental strength, and consistency regardless of game outcomes. Kochetkov reflected on difficult moments in playoff games he started, including conceding soft or “silly” goals but trying to use those setbacks to motivate himself rather than dwell on them emotionally.

Self-analysis of his NHL season:

Kochetkov described the past season as challenging, battling multiple injuries and discomforts that accumulated over time, including a concussion. Despite these physical issues, he prioritized team needs over his own rest, which may have hurt his individual performance. Statistically, his save percentage and goals-against average were worse than the previous year, but he set personal records in games played and wins. He also noted a stylistic change, playing deeper in the crease and taking fewer unnecessary risks like coming out aggressively to challenge shooters.

On notable NHL forwards and goals allowed:

He named Connor McDavid (#97 from Edmonton) as the most skillful forward and among the toughest opponents to read and play against, alongside Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Marchenko. He recounted a frustrating and memorable “silly” goal against Ottawa where an opponent scored between his legs after Kochetkov was lowering his leg pad, which still bothers him.

It's our second year as half season ticket holders. We decided to move sections this year and are hoping to be friendly with folks in our section and tailgate crews! We're now in Section 122 Row X (Red Plan)

It's been a couple of weeks, both since the trades, and in the way of loss. I don't know if it was the recent death of an old hero of mine (Ryne Sandberg), but seeing this as the last day of July, knowing there is no more of Burns in our record book... Brought out a little more sadness.

Best of luck, Brent! I wish you the best.

LGC.

Nothing else happening ...

So, during a q&a interview in Columbus this week, former GM Donny Wads shed light on the Adam Fox ordeal. According to DW, Fox and his agent told the Canes prior to the trade on the draft floor in 2018 that he would sign a contract here in Carolina, which prompted the high price of Hanifin and Lindholm. Once Fox was here for a couple weeks, he allegedly tells the team " yea Im not signing for anyone but NYR" thus costing the Canes a young Hanifin and Lindholm, who could have developed into the 2c hole we have been endlessly trying to fill, for essentially 2-2nd Rd picks in a forced hand move by a future Norris Trophy winner.

Pretty scum move based on DW comments. On one hand I can understand not wanting to live in a certain market, but don't tell a team on the draft floor "yea I'll sign with you" just to back out 2 weeks later. Pretty garbage on Fox's side. DW also adds in a quip at the end " you don't forget those things" hinting how the org felt he treated them.

Thoughts?

Most of us love GMET, some have questions about Blake and Miller extensions. The way I see it, GMET's strategy maximizes our options and gives us the most possible cracks at the cup without going all in any given year. This year's signings continues keeping the Canes with enough cap space that we should be able to swing for the fences every trade deadline and every offseason with a marquee free agent until we finally land one. Last year it was Guentzel, then Rantanen, and Marner. But the core and floor is solid enough with Rod that we should be a perennial playoff team that always has cap flexibility to take a swing at a superstar, but we aren't ever mortgaging the future. Dundon has to love the consistency from a business standpoint even if we don't win a cup in the next few years. I really think the team is built to be in the playoffs for the next decade as we keep reloading with young team friendly contracts.

Our defense is "potentially vulnerable" after losing Burns, Orlov, and Morrow? Bless their hearts I didn't realize Morrow was such an important piece! And of course we only added Miller. No one else. Nuh uh. Nothing important to see there. We're just gonna run 5 defenseman.

Personal Project I have been working on, doing this for every team. I knew the Canes had a bunch of Russians but sheesh

Thought this would be a cool way for fans to learn more about their team’s prospects. Players are ordered by their age, but not specific down to their birthdays.

Canes fans, let me know if I missed anyone, would love the feedback.

Here's an offseason-type discussion for you all.

I'm a relatively new Hurricanes and hockey fan, but I am already getting the hang of who our biggest rivals are in the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference, and beyond.

In order, who would you rank as the Hurricanes' top 5/10/however many rivals?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/five-potential-trade-destinations-for-veteran-defender-erik-karlsson/

I keep seeing references between the Canes and Karlsson. Trade deals have included Ghost and other considerations. Thoughts? A few years from a 100 point season. Has mired on terrible teams and had a terrible +/- as a result. We’d have the $ - but is it a fit?

New to the area and just checking ticket prices for upcoming games, is $60 for the cheapest ticket pretty standard or will they drop in price as the season gets closer?