Even though it’s been a rough week for the young defender Jaccob Slavin, he is one of the best on the team. Slavin does not get the recognition he deserves across the league. Him and Brett Pesce are a lock down duo as the first defensive pairing for Peters.
Slavin is even showing a developed level of offensive prowess this season. He’s second among all Canes defensemen in points with six, only behind Noah Hanifin. And, Peters is starting to trust Slavin on the power play.
If the Canes are to make a playoff run this season, this young and talented group of defenders needs to follow the example set by Slavin. While players like Hanifin and Haydn Fleury have come up big this season, none are more important than Slavin.
A big season for Slavin could finally start to garner him some Norris Trophy hype. With how the season has looked so far, and some inconsistencies coming from his side, it might not be the 2017-18 campaign where that happens.