Money Problems for Two Hockey Teams
兩支曲棍球隊的財務問題
Introduction
Two hockey teams, the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins, want to save money on player salaries.
底特律紅翼隊與匹茲堡企鵝隊希望在球員薪資方面節省開支。
Main Body
The Detroit Red Wings look at player J.T. Compher. He does not play well now. The team can pay him to leave. This saves the team about $3 million every year. They can use this money for new players.
底特律紅翼隊正在考慮球員 J.T. Compher。他目前的表現不佳。球隊可以支付費用讓他離隊。這樣每年能為球隊節省約 300 萬美元。他們可以用這筆錢招募新球員。
But Detroit has a problem. They need players in the center position. If they trade Dylan Larkin, they cannot let Compher go.
但底特律面臨一個問題。他們需要中鋒位置的球員。如果他們交易了 Dylan Larkin，就不能讓 Compher 離隊。
The Pittsburgh Penguins look at player Ryan Graves. They can pay him to leave too. But this only saves a little money.
匹茲堡企鵝隊則在考慮球員 Ryan Graves。他們也可以支付費用讓他離隊。但這樣節省的金額不多。
Pittsburgh has a lot of money now. They have about $37 million. They want to keep Graves because he is a good, experienced player.
匹茲堡目前資金充足。他們約有 3,700 萬美元。他們想留住 Graves，因為他是一名優秀且經驗豐富的球員。
Conclusion
Detroit needs to save money because of bad play. Pittsburgh has plenty of money, so they will keep their player.
底特律因為表現不佳而需要節省開支。匹茲堡資金充裕，因此會留住他們的球員。
Vocabulary Learning
💡 The Power of 'Can'
In this story, we see the word can used to talk about possibility and ability.
How it works: It is very simple. You put can before the action word.
- The team can pay him... → It is possible for them to do this.
- They can use this money... → They have the ability to spend it.
🚫 Saying 'No' with 'Cannot'
When something is impossible, we use cannot (or the short version: can't).
- They cannot let Compher go. → This is not possible right now.
🛠️ Quick Guide for A2 Learners
| Positive | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I can save | I cannot save | Possible Impossible |
| We can play | We cannot play | Able Unable |