Carolina Hurricanes season snapshot fantasy honors

With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus, NHL.com is taking stock of each of the League's 31 teams.
Today, a fantasy recap of the Carolina Hurricanes at the pause:
NOTE: Rank for fantasy most valuable player is based on standard-category production to date.

MORE FANTASY COVERAGE:
Top 250
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100 forwards
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Season snapshots
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Injury tracker
Fantasy MVP: Andrei Svechnikov, LW/RW (25) --One of the breakout players of the NHL season, Svechnikov has thrived in a top-line, first power-play role with a huge jump in points (61 in 68 games; third on Hurricanes) and power-play points (20; second on Carolina) compared to his rookie season (37 points, five PPP in 82 games). Svechnikov brings exposure to valuable forwards Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen in most situations and has been strong in peripheral categories shots on goal (183; second on Hurricanes), plus/minus (plus-9) and hits (116; third on Carolina).

Biggest surprise: Dougie Hamilton, D -- Prior to fracturing his left fibula Jan. 16, Hamilton was the second-best fantasy defenseman in the NHL, behind John Carlson of the Washington Capitals in NHL.com's rankings. He was drafted on average outside the top 80 overall and 16th among his position. Hamilton ranks fourth among defensemen in points per game (0.85, minimum 30 games) behind Carlson (1.09), Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators (0.94) and rookie Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche (0.88). Hamilton, with 14 goals in 47 games, has the highest goals-per-game average (0.30) of his NHL career.

Unsung hero: Jaccob Slavin, D --He was a steady fantasy producer prior to Hamilton's injury and is now ranked among the top 75 overall in an expanded role. Slavin is one of four players with a plus-30 rating or better this season, joining Hamilton, New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (plus-36) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves (plus-40). Slavin leads the Hurricanes in average time on ice (23:24) and ranks third in assists (30) behind Svechnikov (37) and Teravainen (48).

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