In a significant move on the opening day of NHL free agency, the New York Rangers have traded defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes in a sign-and-trade deal. The Hurricanes have secured Miller with an eight-year, $60 million contract, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7.5 million through the 2032-33 season. In return, the Rangers receive a conditional first-round draft pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and 22-year-old defenseman Scott Morrow.(nhl.com)
Miller, 25, was drafted by the Rangers 22nd overall in the 2018 NHL Draft and has spent his entire NHL career with the team. Over five seasons, he has accumulated 132 points (36 goals, 96 assists) and a plus-49 rating in 368 games. In the 2024-25 season, Miller recorded 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 74 games, leading Rangers defensemen in takeaways (47) and ranking second in hits (107) and blocked shots (110) .(reuters.com, nhl.com)
The trade comes on the heels of the Rangers signing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract, aiming to bolster their defensive lineup. With limited salary cap space, General Manager Chris Drury opted to move Miller, who was a restricted free agent, to the Hurricanes. The Rangers’ acquisition of Morrow, along with the draft picks, is seen as a strategic move to rebuild and strengthen their defense.(nhl.com, foreverblueshirts.com)
Scott Morrow, a second-round pick (40th overall) by the Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Draft, spent the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL), recording 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games. He also appeared in 14 NHL games with the Hurricanes, tallying one goal and five assists. The 22-year-old defenseman is considered a promising prospect and is expected to contribute to the Rangers’ defensive corps.(nhl.com)
The conditional nature of the first-round pick adds an intriguing element to the trade. If neither the Hurricanes’ nor the Dallas Stars’ first-round picks in 2026 are among the top 10 selections, the Rangers will receive the better of the two. If one of the picks is a top-10 selection, the Rangers will receive the lesser of the two. If both picks are top-10 selections, the Rangers will receive the better of the two picks in the 2027 draft .(nhl.com)
This trade marks a significant shift for both teams. For the Hurricanes, acquiring Miller addresses a need for a top-four defenseman and adds a player known for his physicality and defensive prowess. For the Rangers, the move signals a commitment to youth and long-term development, with Morrow and the draft picks providing potential building blocks for the future.
As the NHL offseason progresses, this trade is expected to have lasting implications on both teams’ strategies and rosters. The Rangers’ focus on rebuilding and the Hurricanes’ push for a deeper playoff run could reshape the dynamics of the Eastern Conference in the coming seasons.
