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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for best player on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Todd Cordell
Andrei Svechnikov will be the best Hurricanes player in the not too distant future. Right now, though, it is Dougie Hamilton.
I think his off-ice reputation kind of masks the fact that he’s a truly elite defenseman. A case could honestly be made for him as the tip top blueliners in the NHL over the last couple of years.
Hamilton has 79 points in 129 games since joining the Hurricanes. That’s a 50-point pace over a full season. Hamilton has put up those numbers while helping his team dictate the game like no other.
Carolina has controlled 57.77% of the shot attempts and 58.16% of the expected goals with Hamilton on the ice at 5v5. Both of those totals rank him 1st in the NHL from 2018-present day.
That has translated into success on the scoreboard, as Hamilton is plus-22 at 5v5 in a Hurricanes uniform. His 56.25 GF% puts him in elite company, sandwiched between John Carlson and Kris Letang.
Hamilton drives play, puts up points, generates shots at a higher rate than everyone but Brent Burns, and his defensive play is much better than he gets credit for.
James Tanner
The Carolina Hurricanes best player is probably going to be Svechnikov shortly, but right now it's Dougie Hamilton who is arguably the NHL's best defensemen, and was well on his way to winning his first Norris Trophy before breaking his leg this year.
Frankly, the numbers for Hamiton are staggering. 58% of shot attempts when he's on the ice. 58% of total shots. 64% of total goals (an absolutely insane number) and 59% of expected goals which is probably even crazier.
Hamilton is a #1 defenseman, hall of fame superstar who doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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