Canes to match Habs’ $42M offer to Aho
The Carolina Hurricanes said Tuesday they will fit the Montreal Canadiens’ five-year, $42.27 million offer sheet to center Sebastian Aho.
The restricted free agent signed the deal tendered by Montreal on Monday, giving Carolina to make a choice. They had just one.
«This was a simple choice,» said Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell in a statement. «Sebastian is one of the greatest players in the league and also the centerpiece of what we’re building here. We have spoken to him during this procedure and he has made it clear that he wants to be in Raleigh and become part of this business.
«It is our job to handle our cap area as our players develop and reach free agency. There was no concern at any given point that we would not be able to coincide with this contract. Again, that the Carolina Hurricanes shouldn’t be underestimated. We’ve got a strategy and the resources to win a Stanley Cup.»
The deal carries an average yearly value of $8.454 million and runs through the 2023-24 season. It includes a reported $21.87 million in registering for Aho, a Finland native.
Aho tallied 83 points (30 goals, 53 assists) in 82 games last season, setting career highs across the board and becoming the sixth player in franchise history with 30 goals and 50 assists in a year.
The Canadiens could have sent first-, second- and third-round selections in the 2020 draft to the Hurricanes as compensation if they hadn’t matched the offer.
That was not likely to take place, Carolina owner Tom Dundon told The News and Observer in Raleigh.
«We are surprised. The participant is loved by us and we’re pleased to have this done. And surprised someone would have thought this would operate,» Dundon said. «We were not going to let him go. He did not want to go. This is only a part of the business of getting the deal done. I said the day that I purchased the team and nothing has changed, he’s one of if not the most significant part our future and we are blessed to have him»
–Field Level Media
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