Jaccob Slavin isn’t complacent after a historic season: ‘I hold a high standard’

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin enters the new season maintaining high personal standards following a historic year. Last season, Slavin won both an Olympic gold medal with Team USA and a Stanley Cup with Carolina, who defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games. Despite those triumphs, Slavin expressed dissatisfaction with his consistency and performances, including an uncharacteristic minus-four outing against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final.

Slavin missed significant time during the first half of last season due to injury before returning to solidify Carolina's penalty kill. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour and captain Jordan Staal praised Slavin's defensive impact and demanding self-assessment. With Carolina returning most of its championship roster, Slavin believes both he and the team possess another level to reach as they begin defending their Stanley Cup title.