The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up one of their most important players, signing forward Sebastian Aho to an eight-year deal worth $9.75 million per season.
The 26-year-old is coming off of a 36-goal, 67-point season with the Hurricanes, his fifth season with at least 60 points in a campaign. Aho had a career-high 53 assists and 83 points in 82 games in 2018-19 and has been Carolina’s top center throughout his entire career.
Through seven seasons, Aho has 218 goals and 468 points in 520 games, the most of any Hurricanes player in that span. He also has 23 goals and 58 points in 63 playoff games, recording at least 11 points in each postseason.
Aho hasn’t represented Finland internationally since 2018, but he has almost always been a standout when he has. He had one of the best World Championship performances of the 21st century when he put up nine goals and 18 points in 2018. The Rauma, Finland native won gold at the 2016 World Junior Championship, silver at the 2015 U-18 World Championship and silver at the 2016 men’s World Championship. He has also represented the Hurricanes in two NHL all-star games, in 2019 and 2022.
Aho has one year left on his current contract with an AAV of $8.46 million. His new deal will buy the Hurricanes eight UFA years of Aho’s career. His most recent deal came as an offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens, with the Hurricanes quickly matching the deal in 2019.
CapFriendly says the Hurricanes have $845,583 in projected cap space this year, with no more RFAs to sign. The 2024 offseason will be difficult for the Hurricanes, who will see Teuvo Teravainen, Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei become UFAs, among others. Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis and Jack Drury are among the high-profile RFAs heading into next summer.
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