How much is Sebastian Aho likely to get?
Bearing in mind how Sebastian Aho’s game continues to improve, the fact he’s coming off his first NHL All-Star Game appearance after being snubbed in 2018, and those comparables above, and you can likely expect a long-term extension somewhere between $7m-$8m annually. If we were to put a number on it today, we’d estimate an AAV of $7.5m against an eight-year deal, and $7m against a five or six-year deal.
This is likely to be a longer-term deal than Teravainen’s, with Aho three years younger, and would see the Carolina Hurricanes lock up their star player for the most exciting period in the team’s history since that 2006 Stanley Cup run.
Don Waddell needs to press on with negotiations as soon as possible, before Aho’s production dictates an even higher cap hit than any of us can anticipate. A lower cap hit means more freedom for Waddell to make trades, agree other extensions, and sign free agents in the summer. Any delay in getting Aho’s deal done only acts to impair his ability to build a winning team in Raleigh.
There is no doubt at all that Sebastian Aho will sign a long-term extension with the Carolina Hurricanes. The longer the season goes on, the more expensive the deal potentially becomes – and with so many dangerous comparables for his new deal, the Canes will do well to keep Aho’s deal south of $7m. No matter the amount, Canes fans are blessed to have such an exciting talent plying his trade in Raleigh, and the future of the franchise will be very secure once Aho has signed on the dotted line.