Defenders Notes: Slavin, Kylington, McCabe

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

On the surface, the terms of the deal seem like a perfect arrangement for Slavin and the Hurricanes organization, as Evolving Hockey projected an eight-year extension for Slavin at a salary of $6.492 million. Slavin’s current seven-year, $37.1 million contract expires after the 2024-25 NHL season and this new deal takes Slavin into his age-39 season in 2023-33.

Slavin bounced back nicely in the points department from a poor 2022-2023 season, but also saw his ice time drop by just over a minute as head coach Rod Brind’Amour last season the wealth was spread much more widely. 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 the top defenseman for the organization in addition Brent Burns.

Other notes:

• Spoke to the media today after sending off goalkeeper Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils, the general manager of the Calgary Flames, Craig Conroyspoke briefly about the ongoing extension negotiations with defender Oliver Kylington. Danny Austin of the Calgary Sun quoted Conroy says:We’ve been in touch and going back and forth. A lot has happened, but I talked to Oliver the other day. Things are moving forward. I know everyone wants things faster, but sometimes it just takes a little time“. After acquiring defender Kevin Bahl in the deal for Markstrom, the Flames may not have enough cap space 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 prep work for his future. In an announcement from the firm, McCabe has transferred his representation to Bartlett Hockey. Bartlett Hockey is one of the more established player representation groups and also represents, among others Logan Cooley, Clayton KellerAnd Bald Makar.