1) Jaccob Slavin
472 shifts, 26 minutes a game, 11 assists, and 0 minutes spent in the penalty box. That was Jaccob Slavin’s postseason. For every single shift that featured Slavin on the backend, number 74 gave absolutely everything that he possibly had to give; and then he reached down deep and grabbed a little bit more.
The imposing Hurricane harkens back to an age of blue-collar Defensemen. He protects the puck, he controls his zone, and he creates opportunities for the skill players on his team to do their job. He rarely makes a mistake, and he always accepts the responsibility of the more difficult defensive tasks.
Jaccob Slavin is the first defenseman in @NHLCanes / Whalers franchise history to record 10 assists in a single playoff year. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/xRXPUVYphr
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 29, 2019
Slavin and Brett Pesce where critical to the success early in the playoffs. they neutralized the offensive talent that those teams possess, and always gave the Hurricanes a chance. In the second round, the Hurricanes beat the best defensive team in hockey, by having a better defense; and that defense goes as Slavin does. If that doesn’t speak to the talent of that individual than nothing will.
This postseason is just the beginning for the young blue liner. The Carolina faithful new of the talent that he possessed, and the rare ability he has to see things develop, and always answer with the right decision. Many people watching the playoffs had no idea just how good he was, and it is only a matter of time until Carolina’s own becomes a household name.
Question for CC Readers: Who did I forget to put on the list? Who did I have too high?