RALEIGH, N.C. – K’Andre Miller didn’t need preseason games to get off to an explosive start with his new Carolina Hurricanes teammates. The defenseman found the back of the net twice during Carolina’s season-opening 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, showcasing a glimpse of the potential that drew the Hurricanes 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, in what coach Rod Brind’Amour called a precautionary measure before he shed it to ramp up in the last week or so of camp. He played on a pairing with Jalen Chatfield, working more than 19 minutes of ice time with a team-high 31 shifts.It was incredible, I loved it.
Miller
The Hurricanes viewed the former first-round pick, 25 years old, as an ideal option for their aggressive system, given his size and skating ability. He 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 game declined last season, going from a mainstay to expendable in a difficult end to his time in New York. Thus, the Hurricanes made the trade on the first day of free agency and then gave him an eight-year contract with 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, on both occasions. The Hurricanes pursued Miller and the signing of free agent Nikolaj Ehlers as part of their next steps to play for the Cup. They are looking for 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 decided to take the offensive in his debut in Carolina, too, on a night when the Hurricanes repeatedly hit the post against Jacob Markstrom. 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 like a knuckleball for a 2-1 lead 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.I thought it was exceptional. Aside from the goals, even, just impressive.
Brind’Amour
The second goal by Miller caused a roar from the Hurricanes’ home crowd, with Miller lifting his leg and shouting in celebration, then gesturing for the crowd to make more noise before heading to the bench.Two very different goals there.
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
