We're halfway through our end-of-season grades for the Carolina Hurricanes. First, we talked about the guys in the Bottom 6 up front. Then, we admired the goal scorers and point producers at the top of the lineup. With the forwards out of the way, it's time to talk about the Canes' defensive unit, known for being one of the toughest to beat and deepest in the league.
That depth was tested early and often this season, with injuries ravaging the squad at various points. However, by the time the important stuff came about, everyone was mostly present and accounted for. Nine players met the 10-game threshold, with Ronan Seeley and Domenick Fensore serving as the only other two defensemen to play for Carolina this season, getting one game each.
Charles Alexis Legault
The first Chicago Wolves defenseman to get the call this season was Charles Alexis Legault. Making his NHL debut in Vegas, Legault was thrown right into the fire against the Golden Knights. He made eight appearances in October and November with the Canes, scoring his first two points, including his first goal into the empty net, against Buffalo on November 8.
Less than 24 hours later, Legault's season took an unfortunate and unlucky detour. During a scuffle at the end of the first period, Legault sliced his hand on Nick Robertson's skate. The injury cost him three months of his season before returning in February for the Wolves. Legault was called up for the final four games of the regular season, playing over 22 minutes in the season finale.
Final Grade: C
Joel Nystrom
Mere days after Legault made his debut, the Hurricanes called upon Joel Nystrom as the injuries kept coming. This call-up lasted a little longer, and it netted Nystrom a four-year extension in the process. He recorded his first point in the same game as Legault, earning an assist against the Sabres. Less than two weeks later, Nystrom added his first multi-point game in Boston.
The only thing missing was his first NHL goal. In his 36th game, a home contest against the Blackhawks, it finally came. He stepped into one, finding the back of the net for the first time with a smooth blast. He played one more game in Raleigh before being sent back to Chicago, though he got the call for the season finale to finish with ten points in 38 games in the NHL this season.
Final Grade: B-
Mike Reilly
When he signed with the Canes last summer to become the team's seventh defenseman, I'm not sure even Mike Reilly expected to play as much as he did. Nor do I think he expected to have his number called so early. Reilly made his team debut in San Jose to begin the State Fair trip, picking up an assist. Reilly scored most of his nine points early in the season, picking up five in his first nine games.
That stretch included his only goal of the season, a short-handed wrap-around tuck against his last team, the New York Islanders, on Halloween Eve. Reilly played 42 of the team's 82 games. He also got two games during the Philadelphia series, picking up two assists in their Game 1 win. While Reilly didn't play in the Cup Final, his 42 games during the regular season will get his name on the Cup.
Final Grade: B-
Alexander Nikishin
We can't deny that Alexander Nikishin rewrote the history books this season, setting several new marks for rookie defensemen in franchise history. He was the first to score ten goals and eclipsed 30 points on his way to All-Rookie honors. His 11 goals were second among the team's defensemen, while his 33 points were third-most. It looked like he might be in store for a good postseason.
That was not the case. He played a big part in their Game 1 win over Ottawa without recording a point. However, he was on the receiving end of a devastating hit in Game 4, forcing him out of the first two contests with Philadelphia. In 17 games, Nikishin managed just one point, an assist in Game 5 against Montreal. Now, his future with the team remains in serious question.
Final Grade: B
Shayne Gostisbehere
If injuries hadn't plagued his season every time he was getting hot, Shayne Gostisbehere would've made team history. In fact, he would've shattered it. He was in and out of the lineup for large parts of the season with various ailments. While limited to 55 games, Gostisbehere had 50 points, which was still enough for the third-most by a defenseman in Canes history.
His production during the regular season didn't translate early into the postseason. By Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, he only had two assists in ten games. Gostisbehere opened the scoring that night and finished the postseason on a tear. He had ten points in the final nine games, including six points in the Stanley Cup Final, finishing tied for fifth with 12 points.
Final Grade: A
Sean Walker
When half of the defense went down, Sean Walker was called upon to play big minutes. Averaging 21:49 per night, Walker topped his previous best by 2:35, and that's not the only career mark he set. Walker recorded 22 assists and 31 points, surpassing 30 points for the first time. He also laid 141 hits and finished just shy of his top marks for goals (9) and blocks (125, most on the team).
Walker had just three assists during the playoffs, recording one helper in each series against Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Vegas. However, Walker still played big minutes for the group. The Canes' second pair was arguably their best throughout the postseason, especially while they marched to the Stanley Cup Final. He also ran over everyone in his path, laying 68 hits in 19 games.
Final Grade: A-
K'Andre Miller
A change of scenery proved to do K'Andre Miller some good. He set the tone with two goals in his team debut on Opening Night, and it went from there. Miller faced a few injury hiccups along the way, but they wouldn't stop him. Miller was the team's leader in TOI during the regular season (22:24) while finishing second to Gostisbehere in assists (29) and points (37).
Miller's play during the playoffs garnered high praise from Wayne Gretzky after the Eastern Conference Finals, saying he was playing better than just about any defenseman he'd ever seen. Miller tied Gostisbehere with nine assists during the playoffs, the fourth-most on the team, while averaging over 24 minutes per night, leading the Canes.
Final Grade: A+
Jalen Chatfield
The Hurricanes tried something a little different this season, putting their two best shutdown defensemen on a pair together. Jalen Chatfield, through no fault of his own, became the "offensive-minded" half of the duo. He recorded two goals, not scoring until early January, and 15 assists, a new career-high, while averaging over 20 minutes for the first time in his career.
Healthy for the entire run this year, Chatfield's eight points in the playoffs were more than the last three years combined. Six of those points came in the final two series, while his lone goal was a short-handed marker in Game 3 against the Flyers. Chatfield also tied for the team lead in blocks (34). He wasn't always at his best, but it's hard to complain about what he put together this season.
Final Grade: B+
Jaccob Slavin
Jaccob Slavin's season is so hard to evaluate. Before the Olympic pause, Slavin was pretty much absent. He only played in 17 games, though his first point of the season on January 10 made him the first defenseman in team history with 300. Slavin was healthy down the stretch, playing all but the few that he was purposefully rested for. He had just one goal and eight points in 39 games.
In a way, Slavin being hurt for most of the season might've been a blessing in disguise. He was good to go for the postseason, even if he didn't play his best. Slavin was held off the scoresheet until he made the play that ended the Philadelphia series in overtime. After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Slavin looked better, saving his very best for the back end of the Cup Final.
Final Grade: B (A- if we took his gold medal into consideration)
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