K`Andre Miller intentionally kept his phone off and avoided social media in recent weeks, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his future after spending five seasons with the New York Rangers.
Now, the defenseman is looking forward to diving into the aggressive playing style of the Carolina Hurricanes.
On Tuesday, the initial day of free agency, the Hurricanes bolstered their defensive unit by acquiring the 25-year-old former first-round draft pick and immediately signing him to a long-term contract. Miller joins a franchise that has reached the playoffs for seven consecutive years, including three appearances in the Eastern Conference Final during that span.
Carolina features prominent defenseman Jaccob Slavin but is reorganizing its defensive group, with veteran blueliners Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov not expected to be back. This restructuring involved trading away promising prospect Scott Morrow, who saw playoff time due to injuries, along with draft picks to New York to secure Miller.
Speaking during a Zoom call on Wednesday, Miller remarked, “They possess a remarkably fast team. They transition quickly up and down the ice and operate cohesively as a unit. It`s been enjoyable to watch them, and they`ve achieved considerable success recently. I`m looking forward to adopting that style of play and joining a truly great team.”
The Hurricanes project the six-foot-five, 210-pound Miller as a strong fit for their system, which relies on an aggressive forecheck to pressure opponents, regain possession, and maintain offensive zone pressure. They believe his size and skating ability are particularly suited for this.
Carolina is making a significant investment, betting on Miller`s potential for further improvement. This confidence is underscored by the eight-year contract they awarded him, which carries an average annual value of $7.5 million and runs through the 2032-33 season.
Miller certainly showed flashes of his capability during his tenure with the Rangers, a frequent rival in the Metropolitan Division. The 22nd overall pick in the 2018 draft consistently appeared in at least 74 regular-season games for four straight seasons, accumulating a combined 17 goals and 56 assists for 73 points across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.
However, his performance experienced a dip last season, leading to speculation about his future with the Rangers after previously being seen as a core piece. This decline coincided with the New York team`s overall struggles, following their Presidents` Trophy win in 2024 but finishing six points outside of a wild-card spot this year.
Following the conclusion of the season, Miller focused on shutting out “all the speculation and kind of noise and uncertainty with New York.” Instead, he dedicated his efforts to physical strengthening and mental preparation for whatever came next.
And now, that “next” is indeed a fresh start.
“I believe there was a significant amount of distraction throughout the season,” Miller stated. “So, I definitely had it in the back of my mind that something might potentially occur. I cherished my time in New York, and it was wonderful, but I`m genuinely excited about what lies ahead in Carolina.”
