NHL: Key Players For Eastern Conference Playoff Teams

By Jasmine Yen | Feb 10, 2020

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 27: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Jake Muzzin (8) reacts during warm ups before the NHL regular season game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 27, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

Carolina Hurricanes: Jaccob Slavin

The Carolina Hurricanes are known for the talent and depth they possess on their defense. But with the injury to Dougie Hamilton, their defensive flaws are being exposed. The team lacks top-pair talent and with their star defenseman out, Jaccob Slavin has been counted on to stop the bleeding.

In the seven games Hamilton has been out, Slavin has played over 25 minutes a night six times, including the shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights in which he played 27:12. He has yet to make up for the production of Hamilton but has really been relied on to fill in the minutes and shut down the top lines of other teams. With the offseason acquisitions of Jake Gardiner and Joel Edmunson not panning out as well as Don Waddell would have liked, it magnifies the importance of Slavin and his role with the team.

He’s on pace to demolish his previous career-high in point as he already has 27 points (5G 22A) in 55 games played. Slavin is getting better every single year and has established himself as a leader in the locker room. The Hurricanes struggle to play at a high competitive level at a consistent rate but with a player like Slavin leading the example on and off the ice, it should help the team regain their swagger.

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