Jaccob Slavin... The 13th-best Defenseman In The NHL?

The Denver, Colo. native leads all NHL blueliners with 638 takeaways since his debut season in 2015-16

By Walt Ruff

@WaltRuff Hurricanes.com

September 03, 2024

RALEIGH, N.C. - Days after Sebastian Aho was named the 12th-best center in the league by NHL Network, the same panel has shown some praise for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin.

Ranked #14 last year, the player regularly regarded as the best defensive defenseman in the league moved up a spot for this season, sliding up to the #13 spot.

Slavin averaged 20:56 over 81 games last season while finishing second among all NHL defensemen with 71 takeaways. Leading the Canes' blueline with a career-high 34 even-strength points, he passed Dave Babych and Justin Faulk for the most assists and points, respectively, of any defenseman in franchise history.

Here they are!

What do you think of our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list? @NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/UL0i1xtwWf
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 29, 2024

He was also awarded the Lady Byng Trophy - given to the player "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability" - for the second time in four years, and is just the second player in franchise history to win it, joining Ron Francis (2001-02).

Rewarded with an eight-year extension on July 1, #74 is now signed through the end of the 2031-22 season.

“Jaccob might be the best defender in the NHL, and he has already cemented himself as one of the best players to ever put on a Hurricanes uniform,” said Canes General Manager Eric Tulsky in July. “He is a crucial leader for our team, both on and off the ice, and keeping him in Carolina long term was a top priority.”

Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Denver, Colo. native leads all NHL defensemen with 638 takeaways since his debut season in 2015-16 and ranks 18th with 1,105 blocked shots in that span.

Slavin's 10th NHL season kicks off in just over a month when the Canes open their regular season against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 11 in Raleigh.