Possible free agent, trade and internal options for the Hurricanes to pair with Jaccob Slavin

RALEIGH, N.C.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin has had respect around the NHL for his play since he entered the league early in the 2015-16 season, but his performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off took it to new heights.

A big reason for that? Slavin had the opportunity to play with another elite defenseman, Minnesotas Brock Faber.

While Dougie Hamilton, Tony DeAngelo and Brent Burns all had their strengths as former Slavin partners, Fabers well-wounded game made them the best shutdown pairing of the tournament.

Advertisement While Burns return to Carolina isnt out of the realm of possibility, its probably time for the 40-year-old to take a lesser role he logged nearly 21 minutes per game last season should he come back to Raleigh.

And that means a new partner for Slavin.

The Hurricanes have the cap space and assets to do just about anything they want this summer assuming there are willing trade partners or free agents who want to sign in Carolina and a top-pairing partner for Slavin is undoubtedly a consideration.

Internal options The Hurricanes think they have a future star in Alexander Nikishin, and it should help that he will have the luxury of playing behind Slavin to start on the left side of Carolinas defense.

With Dmitry Orlov expected to head to free agency, Jalen Chatfield seems like an ideal partner for Nikishin.

Still, Chatfield should be considered an option alongside Slavin, given that he took on more minutes this year and didnt miss a beat in his third season as a full-time NHLer.

Playing Slavin and Chatfield together, however, would put Carolinas two best defensive defensemen together, and Chatfield had 11 fewer points than Burns 29 last year.

Carolina could try Shayne Gostisbehere on his off side in an effort to add more point production to the top pairing, and Slavin would certainly cover for some of Gostisbeheres (often overstated) defensive shortcomings.

That said, Gostisbehere who was fifth on the team in scoring with 45 points, tops among defensemen had a pedestrian 18 even-strength points in 2024-25.

Sean Walker might be the best internal fit.

He had an underwhelming 16 points the fewest among the Hurricanes top six defensemen last season in his first year in Raleigh, but there seems to be untapped scoring potential, and Walker has shown a willingness to be aggressive offensively.

Advertisement The wild card is Scott Morrow, who looked justifiably overwhelmed at times when forced into action against Florida in the Eastern Conference final but who fits the profile of an ideal Slavin running mate.

Like Hamilton, DeAngelo and Burns before him, Morrows game is centered on offense, and he had 13 goals in 39 points in 52 AHL games in his first pro season.

Hes also big and rangy, though foot speed can be an issue at times.

It would be asking a lot to put a rookie in such a role, but Slavin also makes his partners job easier every night.

Trade targets If Carolina is going to look for a right-handed defender to pair with Slavin, the trade market might be the best place to do it.

Calgarys Rasmus Andersson would provide a short-term fix, and the Flames are loaded with defensive prospects.

He has one year left on a deal that costs $4.55 million against the cap, so the Hurricanes could make a deal, assess the fit next season and see if the 28-year-old is a longer-term match.

Hes eclipsed 50 points once in his career and is accustomed to playing major minutes.

Like Burns, hes been durable and hasnt missed many games over the past handful of seasons.

If Andersson is on the market, however, the list of suitors will be long and could drive up the asking price.

Carolina will be careful not to overpay for a player who could walk away next summer.

Another intriguing name is Los Angeles Brandt Clarke.

The brash blueliner oozes skill and has a flare for the dramatic, and the Kings who are even more defensive-minded than the Hurricanes have been unwilling to unleash him, limiting him to less than 13 minutes per game in L.A.s opening-round loss to the Oilers.

He was dangled at the deadline, but a change in the front office Rob Blake out, Ken Holland in as general manager could mean the Kings priorities are different now.

Even if Clarke is a Carolina target, would he be ready to play top-pairing minutes out of the gate? The Hurricanes explored adding Erik Karlsson when the defenseman was traded from San Jose to Pittsburgh, and a deal for him might be more palatable with just two years remaining on a contract that costs $11.5 million against the cap.

But after winning the Norris Trophy with a 101-point season with the Sharks in 2022-23, the 35-year-old barely matched that point total in two years with the Penguins (109 points while playing all 82 games each season).

Like Slavin, Karlsson looked good in the 4 Nations tournament, so maybe theres more left in the tank if he gets to play alongside an elite defender.

Advertisement New Jersey would probably love to get out of the final two years of Dougie Hamiltons deal, but that ship has likely sailed for Carolina, especially given Hamiltons injury issues and drop in production.

Philadelphias Rasmus Ristolainen (one year remaining with a $5.1 million cap hit) had a bounce-back season and would bring needed snarl to the blue line, but hes not exactly an analytics darling.

The Flyers also reportedly turned down a Toronto offer for Ristolainen ahead of the deadline.

The pie-in-the-sky option would be Buffalos Rasmus Dahlin.

While Dahlin is a lefty, hes adept at playing the right side and would surely welcome a chance to be on a competitor.

The Sabres would be unwise to consider it, and even if they did, the return in a trade would cost the Hurricanes a boatload of assets.

The open market The name that makes the most sense is Aaron Ekblad, the former No.

1 draft pick who has been a reliable top-pairing defenseman for the Panthers throughout his career.

Ekblads priority is to remain in South Florida, and his cost on the open market would be exorbitant and Carolina seems unlikely to pony up a big-ticket, seven-year contract for a 29-year-old defenseman.

That said, his combination of size, skill and the ability to play in all situations would make him a fit.

The rest of the market is thin.

DeAngelo is again available, and John Klingberg has breathed life into his career with a good playoff run with the Oilers.

Still, neither feels like an upgrade to Burns, or to what the team already has in-house.

Dante Fabbro also revived his career after going to Columbus, but he too seems like a stretch as a top-pairing guy on a contender.

Offer sheet options The Hurricanes dont have their third-round pick in the 2026 draft, making a run at an RFA a little more difficult unless theyre willing to give up four first-rounders on a contract worth more than $11.7 million or if the players team is willing to discuss a trade.

Edmontons Evan Bouchard and the Islanders Noah Dobson the No.

10 and No.

12 overall picks in the 2018 draft, respectively are young, right-handed defensemen due new deals.

The Oilers will do everything in their power to re-sign Bouchard, but theyre facing a cap crunch and also must consider that Connor McDavid is due a new contract after next season.

Its unlikely Carolina would pay Bouchard close to twice the amount Slavin is earning on his contract (under $6.4 million).

Dobson had a down year, which should make a deal with the Islanders easier (see Martin Necas bridge deal), and there are also questions about his viability as a top-pairing player though he certainly has all the tools.

There are some left-handed RFAs as well KAndre Miller, Nic Hague and Bowen Bryam top the list though thats not a need for Carolina unless the team plans to rethink its defense.

Advertisement Out of left field The most important thing to remember with the Hurricanes is that theyre not scared of making waves, and there could very well be a major move outside of these options that would surprise everyone.

The Islanders Ryan Pulock comes to mind.

(Photo of Jaccob Slavin: Kyle Ross / Imagn Images).

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