K’Andre Miller proved his worth since his debut with the Carolina Hurricanes, without the need for preseason games to stand out with his new teammates. The defenseman scored two goals in the Hurricanes’ season-opening 6-3 victory against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, showcasing the potential that led the team to acquire him from the New York Rangers and sign him to a long-term contract.
Miller, who is 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, spent much of the preseason wearing a non-contact yellow jersey, a preventative measure according to coach Rod Brind’Amour. In the game, he played alongside Jalen Chatfield, accumulating more than 19 minutes of ice time and leading the team with 31 shifts.It was incredible, I loved it.
Miller
The Hurricanes saw in the 25-year-old player, former first draft pick, an ideal fit for their aggressive system, thanks to his size and skating ability. Miller had shown flashes of his potential with the Rangers, including 17 goals and 56 assists for a total of 73 points in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. However, his performance declined last season, going from a mainstay to expendable. The Hurricanes made the trade on the first day of free agency and offered him an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million until the 2032-33 season. Carolina has won a series in seven consecutive postseasons, including two appearances in the Eastern Conference final in the last three seasons, before falling to the Florida, two-time Stanley Cup champions. The Hurricanes are looking at Miller and the signing of free agent Nikolaj Ehlers for the next steps to fight for the Cup. They hope Miller will reinforce a system that relies on aggressive pressure to control the puck and maintain pressure in the offensive zone. Miller decided to take the offensive in his Carolina debut, on a night when the Hurricanes repeatedly hit the post against Jacob Markstrom.I thought it was exceptional. Goals aside, it even had impact.
Brind’Amour
His first goal was unexpected. He took the puck from William Carrier and shot it towards Markstrom from the area. The puck seemed to deflect off the Devils’ forward, Nico Hischier, and then slid past Markstrom to make it 2-1 midway through the second period.
His goal in the third period was very different: a powerful shot from near the left circle that sent the puck hitting Markstrom’s glove, bouncing off his arm and behind him into the net.Miller’s second goal made the Hurricanes fans roar, with Miller lifting his leg and shouting in celebration, then asking the crowd for more noise before heading to the bench.Two quite different goals.
Seth Jarvis
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
