The Carolina Hurricanes underwent several big defensive changes over the offseason, parting ways with Dougie Hamilton and Jake Bean and bringing in Ian Cole, Ethan Bear, Tony DeAngelo, and Brendan Smith.
Despite the overhaul, the Canes still have their two cornerstone pieces in place, but the team’s postseason upside will largely depend on the new guys.
Here’s the state of the defense.
Jaccob Slavin
The 2021 season was a rocky one for Slavin, who missed time after contracting COVID in the first week of the season and didn’t experience the sustained level of dominance that he had in past seasons.