NBC hockey analyst Pierre McGuire was extolling an accumulation of defensive talent by the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, rolling out names and superlatives.
McGuire called defenseman Jaccob Slavin probably the “best-kept secret” in the league and said Noah Hanifin is “just scratching the surface” of his potential. He talked of Justin Faulk being an offensive threat, the understated consistency of Brett Pesce and all that Trevor van Riemsdyk would add to the Canes’ blue line this season after winning a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Not said: anything about the Canes’ sixth defenseman.
The top five defensemen are set – van Riemsdyk the oldest of the five at 26.