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Spencer Carbery Praises Hurricanes Star After Series Loss to Carolina

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 16, 2025 5:36 PM ET

The Washington Capitals were dominated in round two by their division rival Hurricanes, and after the loss, Spencer Carbery had praise for one big star.

Despite a promising regular season, the Washington Capitals fell in round two to the Carolina Hurricanes, and after assembling such a star studded roster, it's safe to say that this season may go down as a massive disappointment for the Capitals.

While they battled hard, it was clear that the 'Canes were simply the better team all over the ice, with the goaltending, defense and offense simply all much better for the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division in this series.

After the loss, Head Coach Spencer Carbery was all praise for one Hurricane in particular, as he questioned why Jaccob Slavin isn't in the Norris Trophy conversation every year given how good he is.

'How he's not in the Norris Trophy conversation every single year, it doesn't seem right.'

While Slavin has over 35 points just twice in his career, the +/- numbers are some of the best in the NHL, as he's posted a +168 since 2015/16, with many calling him the best defensive defenseman in the NHL.

Unfortunately for his style of play, the Norris Trophy is almost always given to the highest scoring defenseman like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes or Roman Josi, but given that the Hurricanes are now in the Eastern Conference Finals, it's clear that his style of play has a major effect on winning.

We will now have to wait and see how far Slavin can take this team in 2024/25, but it's clear that he's got the respect of opposing players and coaches, and if he can help them to the Stanley Cup Finals, it may be about time that he finally gets his respect as an elite defenseman in the NHL.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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