K’Andre Miller didn’t need preseason games to get off on the right foot with his new Carolina Hurricanes teammates. The defenseman scored two goals in the Hurricanes’ 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, showcasing the potential that attracted the Hurricanes to acquire him from the New York Rangers and sign him to a long-term contract.
Miller, who is 6 feet 5 inches and 210 pounds, spent much of the preseason wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, in what coach Rod Brind’Amour called a precautionary measure before he took it off to step up in the last week or so of the camp. He played in a pair with Jalen Chatfield, working more than 19 minutes of ice time with 31 shifts, the most on the team.It was incredible, I loved it.
Miller
The Hurricanes saw the former 25-year-old first-round pick as an ideal fit for their aggressive system with his size and skating ability. He had shown flashes of his potential with the Rangers, including 17 goals and 56 assists for 73 points in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. However, his game declined last season, going from a mainstay to expendable in a difficult end to his time in New York. So the Hurricanes made the trade on the first day of free agency, then gave him an eight-year contract that pays an average annual value of $7.5 million through the 2032-33 season. Carolina has won a series in seven consecutive postseasons, including reaching the Eastern Conference final twice in the last three seasons before falling to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion, Florida, each time. The Hurricanes pursued Miller and the signing of free agent Nikolaj Ehlers as part of their next steps to play for the Cup. And they are looking at Miller in particular to reinforce a system that relies on aggressive pressure to pressure opponents, gain control of the puck, and keep it to maintain pressure in the offensive zone. He simply decided to take the offensive in his Carolina debut, too, on a night when the Hurricanes repeatedly hit the post against Jacob Markstrom.I thought it was exceptional. Take away the goals, even, just impactful.
Brind’Amour
His first goal was unexpected. He took a pass from William Carrier along the boards and fired it towards Markstrom from the slot. The puck appeared to deflect off Devils forward Nico Hischier and then slid past Markstrom for a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.
His third-period goal was very different: a powerful shot from near the left circle that sent the puck hitting Markstrom’s hand, grazing his arm and behind him into the net.Two quite different goals there.
Seth Jarvis
Miller’s second goal sent the Hurricanes’ home crowd into a roar, with Miller lifting his leg and shouting in celebration, then indicating more noise from the crowd before heading to the bench.
I think that was one of the most important things, just making a good first impression. I think the guys have done an incredible job of getting me up to speed. And this adjustment period has honestly been very simple. Very easy, and all the guys are pushing me in the right direction.
Miller
