There are other candidates including Cam Ward’s resurgence in net, Jeff Skinner leading the way offensively and Sebastian Aho hopping straight into the NHL without missing a beat. But thus far in 2016-17, my favorite Carolina Hurricanes story line is the emergence of Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce as a legitimate top defense pairing comprised of a couple 22-year olds in their second seasons in the NHL.

This week’s Sunday Canes Chronicle features articles about Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin both past and present.

 

Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce on the ice

Chris Miracle at Fansided’s Cardiac Cane offers this assessment of Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce’s strengths that have enabled them to excel at the NHL level.

On November 3, Matt Barlowe at Fansided’s Cardiac Cane called Brett Pesce the Canes’ best defenseman at that point and offered statistics to back it up.

Shortly after the duo was united in mid-October, I offered this early evaluation of their play together on October 24.

Cory Lavalette at the North State Journal profiles the Hurricanes league-leading penalty kill which features Slavin/Pesce in a key role.

 

Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin – The early days

As part of my ‘7D in 7 days’ series on the Canes blue line, I offered this detailed article on Brett Pesce in early November of 2015 after his initial run of games at the NHL level.

Similarly, in late November of 2015 with first impressions at the NHL level in hand, I asked if Jaccob Slavin was the “greatest harbinger of the Hurricanes future.”

 

Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce off the ice

Chip Alexander at the News & Observer offers this look into Slavin’s faith in God that he says defines him as a person.

During the summer, Chip Alexander at the News & Observer also offered another look at Jaccob Slavin off the ice taking part in a field day at the Wake County Boys Club.

In case you missed it on the game broadcast from a week or so ago, Mike Maniscalco from Fox Sports visited with Brett Pesce atop the Empire State Building.

 

Go Canes!