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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Conn Smythe Candidates

By Matthew Nidiffer

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck in the first period against the Washington Capitals in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck in the first period against the Washington Capitals in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Jaccob Slavin

Jaccob Slavin has evolved into an elite defenseman. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that Jaccob Slavin is my number one choice for Conn Smythe recipient.

Slavin has been an absolute phenom all around the ice this postseason. Slavin has posted 11 assists in 11 playoff games played; the 25 year-old defenseman needs only two more to tie the franchise record of 13, currently held by legendary Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Frantisek Kaberle.

Only six other defensemen in league history have topped Slavin’s point totals throughout the first 10 games of a postseason: Bobby Orr, Brian Leetch, Al MacInnis, Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy, and Larry Robinson. These are absolutely legendary names to be associated with, and I can think of no better player to award the Conn Smythe trophy to than Jaccob Slavin.

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Like I said in the beginning of this article, narrowing down this list to just five names (honorable mentions excluded) was EXTREMELY difficult. With a roster this full of heart and leadership, this is one of the best problems one can have as a writer or analyst. The Hurricanes have quite a series ahead of them against the Boston Bruins, but I have no doubt in my mind that they will come out winners on the other side, regardless of the results of the next 4-7 games.

Question for CC Readers: Do you agree with this list? If not, who would your Top 5 Carolina Hurricanes Conn Smythe finalists be?

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