Scott Morrow looked like he had everything going for him. Young, talented, drafted in the second round by Carolina. Then the playoffs happened, and suddenly the 22-year-old defenseman watched from the press box while his team fought for the Stanley Cup.
Now we know why the Hurricanes shipped him to New York, and it wasn’t pretty.
Why Did the Carolina Hurricanes Trade Scott Morrow?
Scott Morrow was drafted 40th overall by the Hurricanes in 2021. The defenseman put up six points in 16 regular-season games with Carolina but went scoreless through five playoff contests.
The Connecticut native was traded to the Rangers along with a 2026 NHL draft first-round and second-round pick in exchange for defenseman K’Andre Miller.
Elliotte Friedman: I’m not surprised the Hurricanes traded Scott Morrow, they’ve got a lot of D; he wasn’t ready for what the Hurricanes do right now – 32 Thoughts Podcast
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 13, 2025
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saw this move coming from a mile away. During a recent episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Friedman explained that Carolina simply had too many defensemen on the roster. But the real kicker was his assessment of Morrow’s readiness for what the Hurricanes demand from their players.
“…if you looked at the Morrow last year in the playoffs, he was, you know, he is young. He is a talented guy. He is going to be a really good player. He wasn’t ready for what they do right now. So I am not surprised,” Friedman said.
How Does K’Andre Miller Fit the Hurricanes’ System Better?
While Morrow struggled to match Carolina’s intensity, Miller’s playing style aligns perfectly with what the Hurricanes want to accomplish. Friedman highlighted how the team specifically talked about Miller’s defensive approach and skating ability.
“…(the Hurricanes) talked about the way Miller closes out. It’s the way we like to close out, the way we defend,” he explained. “You know Miller is a great skater. The Hurricanes put a huge emphasis on the way they play. So that’s a fit.”
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The Carolina front office wasted no time securing Miller’s services, signing the 25-year-old to an eight-year contract worth $60 million with a $7.5 million cap hit. During his five NHL seasons with the Rangers, Miller tallied 132 points, including 96 assists and 36 goals, across 368 regular-season games.
Following their playoff elimination by the Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, GM Eric Tulsky has worked to reshape the roster. The team’s biggest splash was acquiring Nikolaj Ehlers during free agency.
With players like Ehlers and Miller now in the fold, the Hurricanes appear positioned to make another championship run after finishing second in the Metropolitan Division behind the Washington Capitals during the 2024-25 season.
