K’Andre Miller proved his worth from the start with the Carolina Hurricanes, without the need for preseason games to stand out with his new teammates. The defenseman scored two goals in Carolina’s season-opening 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, showcasing 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 feet 5 inches and 210 pounds, spent much of the preseason wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, a precautionary measure according to coach Rod Brind’Amour, before stepping up his game in the final week of camp. He played alongside Jalen Chatfield, with more than 19 minutes of ice time and 31 shifts, the team’s maximum.It was incredible, I loved it.
Miller
The Hurricanes viewed the 25-year-old player, a former first draft pick, as an ideal option for their aggressive system, thanks to 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 performance declined last season, going from a mainstay to expendable. Therefore, the Hurricanes made the trade on the first day of free agency and 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 twice in the Eastern Conference Finals in the last three seasons, before falling to the defending Stanley Cup champion, Florida, on both occasions. The Hurricanes looked to Miller and the signing of free agent Nikolaj Ehlers as part of their next steps to compete for the Cup. They hope Miller will reinforce a system that relies on aggressive pressure to pressure opponents, gain control of the puck, and maintain pressure in the offensive zone. In his debut with Carolina, Miller decided to take the offense to another level, on a night when the Hurricanes repeatedly hit the post against Jacob Markstrom.I think it was exceptional. Even without the goals, just impressive.
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 to make it 2-1 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 mask, bouncing off his arm and behind him into the net.Miller’s second goal drew an ovation from the Hurricanes crowd, 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 there.
Seth Jarvis
I think that was one of the most important things, simply 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 been, honestly, very simple. Very easy, and all the guys are pushing me in the right direction.
Miller
