Perhaps the most under-the-radar part of the recent K'Andre Miller trade is that the New York Rangers were able to acquire Scott Morrow , on top of a pair of premium draft picks, from the Carolina Hurricanes .
Most of the focus here — and rightfully so — has been on Miller, the 25-year-old top-four defenseman getting traded within the Metropolitan Division, and then signing an eight-year, $60 million contract with the Hurricanes. After that, there's been plenty of talk about the Rangers landing a conditional first-round pick along with a second-rounder in the loaded 2026 draft.
But no one should overlook the other key part of this trade. Morrow was considered to be Carolina's top prospect in many circles and should turn into a solid puck-moving defenseman in New York's top six sooner rather than later.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is among those who believe the Rangers got themselves a nice player in Morrow. But he also did sound a cautionary note about the 22-year-old's readiness for big-game duty in the NHL.
"I'm not surprised [the Hurricanes] traded Morrow, they've got a lot of D," Friedman stated on his 32 Thoughts podcast . "He's young, he's talented, he's going to be a really good player. He wasn't ready for what they do right now. They have a lot of defensemen back there so I'm not surprised they made that deal."
The catch Friedman referred to was Morrow's five-game opportunity in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past spring. With Jalen Chatfield sidelined by injury, Morrow was pressed into duty for the entirety of the Eastern Conference Final, a five-game series loss to the Florida Panthers .
As the Rangers are well aware, that's tough sledding for even the most experienced of players, and specifically defensemen in this case. Morrow had a difficult time of it, with the Hurricanes outscored 5-0 at 5v5 with him on the ice. However, the underlying numbers weren't terrible. Carolina had an expected goals share of 55.76 percent, per Natural Stat Trick , and out-chanced Florida 23-16 with the rookie out there.
Of course all of that comes with a grain of salt. Typically, Hurricanes players have solid impressive underlying metrics, based on the team's play style. The eye test against the Panthers wasn't so pretty.
Related: Get to know newest Rangers prospect Scott Morrow after trade with Hurricanes
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Nonetheless, the Rangers have themselves a really promising defenseman prospect in their fold now. After starring collegiately for three years at UMASS, Morrow had 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games with Chicago of the American Hockey League last season. He didn't look out of place when called up by the Hurricanes; Morrow had six points (one goal, five assists) in 14 NHL games late last season.
Morrow's got good size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and an above-average skill set offensively. His defensive game remains a work in progress. But if he can handle third-pair minutes defensively, Morrow would give the Rangers a really good option as puck-moving defenseman behind Adam Fox , both at even strength and on the power play.
If Morrow proves himself ready to go on the right side in training camp, the Rangers could move Braden Schneider to his off (left) side to help form a shutdown second pair with Will Borgen .
This trade will largely be deemed a success or failure for each side based on Miller's growth and play. He's the best player in this trade right now — barring New York landing a stud or two with those two picks in next year's draft.
"The Hurricanes were willing to take a bet the Rangers weren't," Friedman explained. "The Rangers weren't willing to go long term with Miller. They were only willing to go, I think, a couple of years. Obviously, Carolina was not afraid of that. We'll see how that works long term. Who made the right bet?"
That's the biggest question right now.
But don't discount Morrow being able to tip the scales in New York's favor when it's all said and done.
Related Headlines
