Following another appearance in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes aimed to strengthen their defense, acquiring K`Andre Miller from the New York Rangers in a trade completed on Tuesday.
The deal saw the Rangers receive a conditional 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and defenseman Scott Morrow. In return, Carolina acquired Miller, who was a restricted free agent and subsequently signed an eight-year contract with the Hurricanes worth an average annual value of $7.5 million. Reports indicate this was structured as a sign-and-trade, occurring after Carolina had reportedly considered an offer sheet.
Miller, 25, recently concluded his fourth season with the Rangers, recording 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists) in 74 games. His most productive year came in 2022-23, where he posted 43 points (9 goals, 34 assists) over 79 games.
New York`s decision to trade Miller followed their signing of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract, seemingly making Miller redundant, especially with Gavrikov expected to join Adam Fox on the top defensive pairing.
Let`s break down the trade and assess how Miller fits into the Hurricanes` lineup.
Trade Summary
Hurricanes Receive:
- K`Andre Miller (Defenseman)
Rangers Receive:
- Conditional 2026 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected)
- 2026 Second-Round Pick
- Scott Morrow (Defenseman)
Team Grades
Carolina Hurricanes
With key defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns hitting unrestricted free agency, the Hurricanes needed to make significant additions to their blue line. Acquiring the 25-year-old Miller injects youth and potential into their defense corps.
Although Miller`s performance saw a slight dip in the last two seasons compared to his 2022-23 peak, his upside remains considerable as he enters what should be the prime years of his career. He`s known as a capable two-way defenseman with strong skating ability and a powerful shot. He`s willing to join the rush and create offense, though he hasn`t yet hit double-digit goals in a season.
A key factor for Carolina is that Miller won`t be immediately thrust into a top pairing role, as they have Jaccob Slavin anchoring the left side. Miller is likely to slot into the second pairing, potentially alongside Jalen Chatfield or Shayne Gostisbehere.
The success of this trade for Carolina largely hinges on Miller regaining his form from the 2022-23 season. While the potential for him to become a dominant force is there, the $7.5 million annual cap hit comes with some risk. This move is a gamble banking on his full potential.
Grade: B-
New York Rangers
After missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, Rangers General Manager Chris Drury was clearly looking to reshape the roster. K`Andre Miller`s offensive production had decreased slightly from his career-high 43 points in 2022-23, tallying a combined 57 points over the subsequent two seasons. The Rangers reportedly weren`t comfortable committing to Miller on a long-term, high-value contract, leading to the trade.
Scott Morrow is the lone player asset acquired by the Rangers. He has limited NHL experience, primarily from the 2024-25 campaign. Projected as a potential third-pairing defenseman, he offers some depth for New York`s blue line, depending on other offseason moves.
Morrow is described as a right-handed defenseman with above-average skating and offensive instincts. While his immediate impact might be limited, he adds a prospect piece to the organization.
The inclusion of a conditional first-round pick and a second-round pick represents a solid return for a player the Rangers weren`t planning to sign long-term. While the ultimate value of draft picks is uncertain until the players are selected and develop, acquiring future assets was a key objective for New York.
Grade: B+
