As the NHL world sets its sights on the upcoming playoffs later in April, the Carolina Hurricanes made some news on Tuesday (April 2) afternoon. They signed UMass hockey defenseman Scott Morrow to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) that will see him through the 2025-26 season. There was no indication that a deal was on the horizon until Saturday, March 30 on Sportsnet. How did this all come about and what led to the deal getting done between the two sides? Also with that, what can Morrow bring to the Hurricanes in 2023-24 and beyond?
Morrow to Hurricanes Picked Up Steam
The idea of Morrow to the Hurricanes became a reality when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on March 30’s “Saturday Headlines” noted how the defenseman was likely to sign with the team in the coming days. All of this came after Morrow and UMass lost to Denver University on March 28, 2-1 in overtime. Two days later, the Friedman piece came out and it seemed like there was headway for both sides to agree to a deal.
Related: Hurricanes Ink Prospect Scott Morrow to Entry-Level Contract
Four days later, the deal was made official and Morrow is now a Hurricane. What made it get expedited was the fact that he was set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in August. There were rumors according to Friedman that there were a number of NHL teams interested in the defenseman. The Hurricanes announced it on their social media and their website about signing him to his ELC. The official number that he will wear for the Hurricanes will be 56 which was last worn by Erik Haula back in 2020.
Regarding contract details, it comes out to a three-year, $2.775 million deal with an annual average value (AAV) of $925,000 per season in the NHL. Furthermore, Morrow will receive $807,500 at the NHL level in 2023-24 along with $832,500 in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Also, when it comes to the American Hockey League (AHL), he will receive $80,000 per season for all three seasons. Word of a $277,500 signing bonus has been attached to the deal. The Hurricanes’ 40th overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has the fanbase and the team excited about him being a new addition to the franchise.
Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell stated on Morrow, “Scott is a dynamic, offensive-minded defenseman who has consistently been one of the top-performing blueliners in college hockey. He has shown the drive and dedication to graduate in three years, and we look forward to seeing the next steps in his development.”…
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