He was traded from the New York Rangers to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and immediately signed an eight-year, \$60 million contract with an average annual value of \$7.5 million.
In exchange for the 25-year-old restricted free agent defenseman, the Rangers received a 2026 second-round draft pick, a conditional first-round pick in either 2026 or 2027, and defenseman Scott Morrow.
Miller expressed enthusiasm about joining Carolina, citing the team’s speed and cohesion as a great fit for his game.
“We always had intense matchups when I was in New York facing Carolina,” Miller said on Wednesday. “They’re a fast, unified team that plays a dynamic style. It’s exciting to join that and be part of a group that’s had a lot of recent success.”
Last season, Miller recorded 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 74 games for the Rangers. Drafted 22nd overall by New York in 2018, he has totaled 132 points (36 goals, 96 assists) in 368 regular-season games and 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 43 playoff appearances.
Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky acknowledged the high cost of acquiring Miller but said it was important to avoid losing key pieces from the current roster.
“It’s a steep price, but we see him as a perfect match for our style,” Tulsky said.
Miller, happy to no longer play against the Hurricanes, said their quick-transition game complements his skill set.
“Their style—fast transitions, quick puck movement, joining the rush—that’s how I like to play,” Miller said. “I’ve shaped my game that way over the last few years, and I feel like I’m still improving.”
He admitted he suspected a trade might be possible this summer but tuned out the speculation.
“It was an amazing, life-changing day for me and my family,” Miller said. “I stayed off social media and my phone to focus on myself and my offseason training. I’m in a great place mentally and physically now.”
Tulsky praised Miller’s skating and ability to play aggressively.
“He’s a strong skater who can close space quickly, defend the net well, and recover fast,” Tulsky said. “All those attributes align with how we play, and we think he’ll thrive in our system.”
As part of the deal, 22-year-old Scott Morrow goes to the Rangers. Morrow notched six points (one goal, five assists) in 14 games with Carolina last season and went scoreless in five playoff games. He added 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 52 AHL games with Chicago and was a 2021 second-round pick (No. 40 overall).
The conditional first-round pick the Rangers receive depends on where Carolina’s and Dallas’ 2026 selections land. If neither is a top-10 pick, the Rangers will get the better one. If one is in the top 10, they’ll receive the lower of the two. If both are top 10, the Rangers get the better of Carolina’s or Dallas’ first-rounders in 2027.
The trade coincided with the Rangers signing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, \$49 million deal (\$7 million AAV).
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