K’Andre Miller trade grades: Hurricanes banking on return to form from star defenseman after deal with Rangers

After losing to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons, Carolina Hurricanes have made a tile to improve their list by acquiring the defender K’andre Miller in an agreement with the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

In trade, the Rangers acquired a conditional selection of 2026 in the first round, a selection of the second round of 2026 and the defender Scott Morrow in exchange for Miller, who was a restricted free agent. Miller signed an eight -year contract with hurricanes, which has an average annual value of $ 7.5 million.

According to Elliotte Friedman from SportsnetThe two parties worked through a sign and trade after the hurricanes had expressed interest in signing Miller on an offer sheet.

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Miller has just completed his fourth season with the Rangers and got 27 points (seven goals and 20 assists) in 74 games. The best professional season of the 25-year-old defender came in 2022-23 when he recorded 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 79 games.

Miller became a demandable after the Rangers sign the former defender of Los Angeles Kings, Vladislav Gavrikov, to a seven -year -old $ 49 million agreement. Gavrikov is expected to play with Adam Fox to form the best defensive pairing in New York.

We look closely at what each team acquires and how Miller fits with the hurricanes.

The trade

Hurricanes receive

Rangers receive

• CONDITIONAL 2026 SELECTION OF THE FIRST ROUND (Top 10 Protected)
• 2026 Second Round Selection
• Scott Morrow (D)

Notes

Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes had to make changes in their blue line considering that both Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns became free free agents on Tuesday. When Miller acquired, Carolina made a huge splash on the back and became much younger in the process.

While Miller had seen a descent in his play work for the last two seasons, there is still a lot of head for the 25 -year -old defender. After all, he is about to enter the first place of his career and does not have a lot of wear and tear on his body when he arrives in Carolina.

Miller is a two -way defender who is a skater above average and has a tremendous shot. The veteran Blue-Liner is not afraid to jump on the play and put the shit on the net. Miller did not overcome the two -digit goal season, but at some point there is an advantage.

One of Miller Landing’s largest outlets in Carolina is the fact that it is not expected to jump in a more important role. Hurricanes already have one of the best league defenders at Jaccob Slavin on the left side. Miller will probably enter the team’s second pairing with Jalen Chatfield or Shayne Gostisbehere.

Hurricanes are banking in Miller to return to their form before 2023-24, which can be a little risk with a annual blow of $ 7.5 million. The advantage is definitely that Miller is again a force, but this is something that must be seen first. Degree: B-

New York Rangers

The ranges arrive a season in which they lost the Playoffs of the Stanley Cup for the first time in four years. As a result, CEO Chris Dury sought to make some changes in the team’s list.

After having a maximum of 43 race points by 2022-23, Miller had seen his production immersed a little with only 57 points combined during the last two seasons. New York was not comfortable by signing Miller on a long -term contract, which led to Tuesday’s trade.

Scott Morrow is the lone player that the Rangers will receive as part of the agreement. Morrow has only 16 NHL games under the belt with 14 of these competitions during the 2024-25 campaign. It was projected as a third supporter of pairing with hurricanes, and would probably be seen similarly according to the most doing New York this summer.

The right hand defender is a skater above average who has a good amount of offensive obstacles in his game. If nothing is, the Rangers again obtained a blue liner in exchange for Miller’s services.

As for the project elections, getting a first and second selection in exchange for a player who did not adapt to the team’s long -term plans is not a bad transport in any way. It is obviously difficult to completely describe an agreement that involves the projection project before seeing who selects the Rangers, but it is definitely a solid return. Degree: B+