After much anticipation amongst Carolina Hurricanes fans, the team announced they have signed UMass defenceman Scott Morrow to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will begin this season with Morrow receiving $807,500 at the NHL level in 2023-24 and $80,00 in the AHL. Then he will receive $832,500 at the NHL level in 2024-25 and 2025-26 and $80,000 in the AHL for both seasons. The deal will include a signing bonus of $277,500.
It’s official!
The #Canes have signed defenseman Scott Morrow to a 3-year, entry-level contract 👊
Details » https://t.co/fG62ncBnbW pic.twitter.com/DX9Jab5DGZ
— x – Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 2, 2024
Carolina Hurricanes Sign Scott Morrow
The Carolina Hurricanes used their first pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft to select Morrow in the second round. Coming out of prep school, Morrow was slated to go the NCAA route and attend UMass the following season. Morrow is a dynamic offensive defenceman who has spent three years in the NCAA to help round out his entire game. Offensively, he registered 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 109 games over three seasons at UMass. He was named a First Team All American his freshman year after putting up 33 points. Morrow was the first freshman in program history to receive that honour.
This season, the 6′ 2″, 195 lb. blueliner put up six goals and 24 assists in 37 games. He earned Third-Team All-Star honours. While also putting up 31 points in his sophmore year, he was the first defenceman at UMass to get over 30 points in each of three seasons. With UMass losing to the University of Denver in the NCAA Tournament, the Hurricanes decided the time was right to get the dynamic defenceman on the books.
What This Means
This is a big signing for Carolina. While you have to gauge expectations of potential with young players, many consider Scott Morrow one of Carolina’s top three prospects. He has the potential to be a big piece of the team in the near future. Even though his best offensive season came his freshman year at UMass, his all-around game drastically improved. While initially seen as more of a pure offensive defenceman, Morrow will come to Carolina as more solid two-way player. This is necessary for NHL success for most.
But this move also secures another strong defensive piece to one of the NHL’s best defensive groups. There was some faint chatter about Morrow potentially not signing with Carolina and this silences those fears. Even though his contract starts this year, he may join the team to mostly practice with them for NHL exposure. However, he may get in a game or two near the end of the season. If they can manage to get Alexander Nikishin to come over as well, Carolina’s defence may remain top tier for a long time.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
