Hanfield Pairing,Together Or Apart, Is Still Clicking For The Hurricanes

Jan 19, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) scores a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports. /

What more can be said about the Carolina Hurricanes‘ “Hanfield Pairing” of Jalen Chatfield and Calvin de Haan? Even as Jalen Chatfield has been moved up to cover for an injured Jaccob Slavin, this duo has continued to produce both offensively and defensively

Canes fans have been heading to, as Hurricanes radio and TV man Tripp Tracey has termed it, “Chatmandu” with enough regularity that Delta is setting up a direct flight from RDU. Chatfield has been on the heat wagon putting up positive nights in 6 of his last 7 games. His last 5 games have been an outright clinic on offensive defense.

With 5 points in 5 games (3 G, 2 A) Chatfield has turned in more offensive numbers that all but one NHL defenseman. His 2 point game (1 G 1 A) against the Minnesota Wild was particularly helpful in boosting Carolina to a 5-2 win in Raleigh. Chatfield also joined the fun in the 6-2 defensive washing of the Columbus Blue Jackets back on January 12. That goal is free to roam around your mind all day rent free. Here it is again in case you have shamefully forgotten

We can - and will - watch this over and over again pic.twitter.com/1xDkjrRKmK
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 13, 2023

Although the spotlight has been on Jalen Chatfield, Calvin de Haan has not be skating with the Ice Capades either. De Haan has just three negative nights since the Hanfield Pairing had there streak broken back on January 5th against the Nashville Predators. Over his last five games, he has 1 assist and is averaging 17.6 shifts a night.

Looking at de Haan’s stats is looking at those a of solid defensive playing that consistently is playing mistake free hockey. For the year, he has only been sent to the pentalty box 7 times. Having not played less than 10 minutes a game in any of his 37 games this season, that is a ton of clean ice time.

De Haan is also currently on track to have an almost identical year statistically as his first one year stint with the Canes back in 2016-17. That season, and this one baring in major changes, rank has his second best on the stat sheet for his career, so it appears Calvin de Haan likes it here in the City of Oaks.

Paired our not, The Carolina Hurricanes have two very talented defensive workhorses in Jalen Chatfield and Calvin de Haan. The Hanfield Pairing is provide counter balances to each other perfectly matched to make them an elite line pairing. Both veteran (de Haan is in his 11th season) and young upstart (Chatfield is playing his first full NHL season) are an anchoring line on a defensive unit that has seen an explosion of points recently.

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