Defensemen Notes: Slavin, Kylington, McCabe

A few days ago, it was reported that the Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Jaccob Slavin were in an informal agreement on a contract extension, but the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed as he is ineligible to put pen to paper until July 1st. Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on ’32 Thoughts’ that the contract should clock in as an eight-year, $52MM contract paying Slavin an average of $6.5MM a year (X Link).

At face value, the terms of the deal seem like a perfect arrangement for Slavin and the Hurricanes organization, as Evolving Hockey predicted an eight-year extension for Slavin at a $6.492MM salary. Slavin’s current seven-year, $37.1MM contract will expire after the 2024-25 NHL season and this new deal will take Slavin to his age-39 season in 2023-33.

Slavin rebounded in the point department nicely from a down 2022-23 season, but also saw his ice time dip by just over a minute as head coach Rod Brind’Amour spread the wealth much more this past season. The recent recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy scored six goals and 37 points in 81 games for Carolina this year and should maintain his status as a top-pairing defenseman for the organization next to Brent Burns.

Other notes:

• Speaking to the media today after sending goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils, the General Manager of the Calgary Flames, Craig Conroy, spoke briefly about the ongoing extension negotiations with defenseman Oliver Kylington. Danny Austin of the Calgary Sun quoted Conroy saying, “We’ve been in contact and going back-and-forth. There’s been a lot of stuff going on but I actually talked to Oliver the other day. Things are progressing. I know everyone wants things quicker, but sometimes it just takes a little time“. After acquiring defenseman Kevin Bahl in the deal for Markstrom, the Flames may not have enough room for Kylington even if there is mutual interest in an extension unless another move is made.
• Expected to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 NHL season, defenseman Jake McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs is doing some preliminary work for his future. In an announcement from the firm, McCabe has switched over his representation to Bartlett Hockey. One of the more established groups for player representation, Bartlett Hockey also represents the likes of Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, and Cale Makar.