Following their second Eastern Conference Final loss in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes have significantly bolstered their roster by acquiring defenseman K`Andre Miller from the New York Rangers in a trade completed on Tuesday.
As part of the transaction, the Rangers received a conditional 2026 first-round draft pick (top 10 protected), a 2026 second-round pick, and defenseman Scott Morrow. In return, the Hurricanes acquired Miller, who was a restricted free agent and subsequently signed an eight-year contract with Carolina worth an average annual value of $7.5 million.
According to Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman, the trade was facilitated as a sign-and-trade agreement, stemming from the Hurricanes` initial interest in signing Miller via an offer sheet.
Miller recently concluded his fourth season with the Rangers, registering 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 74 games. The 25-year-old defenseman`s most productive professional campaign was in 2022-23, where he posted 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) across 79 games.
Miller`s availability for trade arose after the Rangers signed former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year contract valued at $49 million. Gavrikov is anticipated to form the Rangers` top defensive pairing alongside Adam Fox.
Let`s delve into what each team gained in the trade and how Miller is expected to integrate into the Hurricanes` lineup.The Trade Details
Carolina Hurricanes Receive:
- K`Andre Miller (Defenseman)
New York Rangers Receive:
- Conditional 2026 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected)
- 2026 Second-Round Pick
- Scott Morrow (Defenseman)
Trade Grades
Carolina Hurricanes Grade
With Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns becoming unrestricted free agents on Tuesday, the Hurricanes were expected to make changes to their defense. The acquisition of Miller represents a significant move to rejuvenate their defensive corps.
Although Miller`s performance has seen a dip over the last two seasons, the 25-year-old defenseman still possesses considerable upside. He is entering the prime years of his career and arrives in Carolina without significant physical wear.
Miller is known as a two-way defenseman with strong skating ability and a powerful shot. He is willing to join the offensive rush and direct pucks towards the net. While he hasn`t yet reached double-digit goals in a season, his offensive potential suggests it could happen in the future.
A key advantage for Miller joining Carolina is that he won`t immediately be burdened with top-pairing responsibilities. The Hurricanes boast one of the league`s premier defensemen in Jaccob Slavin on the left side. Miller is expected to slot into the team`s second pairing, potentially alongside Jalen Chatfield or Shayne Gostisbehere.
The Hurricanes are betting on Miller returning to his pre-2023-24 form, which carries some risk given the $7.5 million annual cap hit. The potential for Miller to re-emerge as a dominant force is certainly present, but it remains to be seen.
Grade: B-
New York Rangers Grade
The Rangers are coming off a season where they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years. This prompted General Manager Chris Drury to seek roster adjustments.
Following a career-high 43 points in 2022-23, Miller`s offensive production slightly declined, totaling 57 points over the subsequent two seasons. The Rangers were reportedly hesitant to commit to a long-term contract for Miller, which contributed to Tuesday`s trade.
Scott Morrow is the only player acquired by the Rangers in this trade. Morrow has limited NHL experience, appearing in just 16 games, with 14 of those occurring in the 2024-25 season. He was projected as a potential third-pairing defenseman for the Hurricanes and is likely viewed similarly by the Rangers, depending on their other offseason moves.
Morrow is a right-handed defenseman with above-average skating and notable offensive capabilities. At a minimum, the Rangers acquired a defensive prospect with offensive upside in exchange for Miller.
Regarding the draft picks, receiving a first and second-round selection for a player who no longer fit the team`s long-term strategy represents a respectable return. While evaluating a trade involving future picks is inherently difficult before the selections are made, this package is generally considered solid.
Grade: B+
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale