© Josh Lavallee / Carolina Hurricanes

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.

Last year’s best defensive defenseman in the league, who was ranked #14, has moved up a spot for this season, advancing to the 13th position.

Over the 81 games last season, Slavin averaged a time of 20:56, finishing second among all NHL defensemen with his 71 takeaways. He led the Canes’ defense with a career-best 34 even-strength points and surpassed Dave Babych and Justin Faulk, achieving the highest number of assists and points, respectively, ever recorded by a defenseman in the franchise’s 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.”

The native of Denver, Colo., who was initially picked in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, has led all NHL defensemen with 638 takeaways since his first season in 2015-16. Additionally, he ranks 18th with 1,105 blocked shots during that period.

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.

Good morning, here's 74 seconds of Jaccob Slavin being ridiculous pic.twitter.com/Na9ts2panI

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) July 2, 2024

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