- Apr 27, 2005
- 33,662
- 29,893
This guy just has it all. Might be the smartest 22 year old defenseman I've seen, and has been far and away the Canes MVP this season IMO.
While he's primarily utilized in a more defensive role, he's currently riding a 5 game point streak and is on pace for 31 points on an offensively challenged hurricanes team.
- Only 4 of his 24 points have come on the PP, as he's only averaged about 1 min per game of PP ice time.
- He's 2nd on the team in PPP/60 behind only Skinner.
- He leads all hurricanes defensemen in 5v5 scoring this season and over the last 2 seasons combined.
But what's most impressive is the fact that he's +15 playing ~23-24 minutes/night on a team that is -29 5v5 this year. That ice time is played almost exclusively at ES/PK against the opponent's top line.
Here's what the Hurricanes +/- leaders look like. I'm not big on the stat, but the distance he's out between himself and the rest of the team is impressive for a 22 year old with his work load.
Slavin + 15
Pesce* +10
Staal +2
Aho -2
Teravainen -4
Stempniak -4
...
Skinner -14
Faulk -15
Hanifin -22
*was his partner for majority of season
He's 5th in the league with a relGF% of 20.8, with a PDO of only 100.8 and he's played more ice time with much tougher assignments than all the guys ahead of him. He has lead his team in GF% both years he's been in the league.
He's the biggest reason why the Hurricanes are 4th in the league in shots against/game. He also anchors the team's PK unit, which ranks 3rd in the NHL - he's played 70 more minutes short-handed than the next highest ranking Hurricane.
The guy needs more hype. He legitimately looks like he could be the league's next great all around defenseman. There isn't a guy in his age bracket who I'd take over him.
While he's primarily utilized in a more defensive role, he's currently riding a 5 game point streak and is on pace for 31 points on an offensively challenged hurricanes team.
- Only 4 of his 24 points have come on the PP, as he's only averaged about 1 min per game of PP ice time.
- He's 2nd on the team in PPP/60 behind only Skinner.
- He leads all hurricanes defensemen in 5v5 scoring this season and over the last 2 seasons combined.
But what's most impressive is the fact that he's +15 playing ~23-24 minutes/night on a team that is -29 5v5 this year. That ice time is played almost exclusively at ES/PK against the opponent's top line.
Here's what the Hurricanes +/- leaders look like. I'm not big on the stat, but the distance he's out between himself and the rest of the team is impressive for a 22 year old with his work load.
Slavin + 15
Pesce* +10
Staal +2
Aho -2
Teravainen -4
Stempniak -4
...
Skinner -14
Faulk -15
Hanifin -22
*was his partner for majority of season
He's 5th in the league with a relGF% of 20.8, with a PDO of only 100.8 and he's played more ice time with much tougher assignments than all the guys ahead of him. He has lead his team in GF% both years he's been in the league.
He's the biggest reason why the Hurricanes are 4th in the league in shots against/game. He also anchors the team's PK unit, which ranks 3rd in the NHL - he's played 70 more minutes short-handed than the next highest ranking Hurricane.
The guy needs more hype. He legitimately looks like he could be the league's next great all around defenseman. There isn't a guy in his age bracket who I'd take over him.
The old "HF Poll is the definitive answer" response. You do realize, that these polls are heavily influenced by fan bases and biases, right? The fact that Slavin is on a bad team, in a bad market, with a small HF fan base will clearly impact this.
