How Would the Carolina Hurricanes Use a Franchise Tag

If the NHL had a Franchise tag option, like the NFL and other sports, how would the Carolina Hurricanes utilize it?

In the NFL the Franchise tag is more of a deal maker rather than what you might think a franchise tag is by the name. For Instance, the way the NFL uses a franchise tag, the Carolina Hurricanes would have used it on Sebastian Aho this summer to avoid the offer sheet fiasco. But who doesn’t love a good little fun with Montreal right?

In this situation, the Canes could have prevented Aho from becoming a free agent, for at least one season keeping him in Raleigh. At the end of the day everything worked out for the best with Aho and we are grateful for that as the best fans in the NHL.

In a nutshell, the franchise tag is a one-year deal that holds the player’s rights with a team. This prevents that player from becoming a free agent. Each team only gets one tag per year, but not every team uses it. – Charles McDonald with SBNation

Let’s look at what a franchise tag could be, and how the Canes would use that.

The Real Franchise Tag: A lifelong player.

When you hear franchise tag, the first thing that comes to mind is franchise rights. That meaning the certain player would belong to the team for the entirety of their career. Similar to how Alexander Ovechkin has been with the capitals his entire career, only at the decision of the team.

Obviously this tag would be a transaction between agent and team like any normal contract, but bigger and better. Think of something along the lines of “You play for us until you retire, or we take the tag off of you, and in return we guarantee you will be the highest paid forward in the NHL.”

This seems like quite a big commitment, for the player and the organization to spend that kind of money. So it rises the question: Who would the Hurricanes be willing to pay top dollar for until they retire, if anyone?

Let’s dive right in and look at some of the possible front runners and what they mean to the team. We will be looking at how they contribute with skill, youth, fan engagement, over all potential compared to production, and leadership.

1. Dougie Hamilton

Our first candidate is none other than the Canes current leading point scorer, Dougie Hamilton.

Hamilton has sure caught the eye of Canes fans and the NHL alike with all these points he’s getting. Averaging OVER 1 point a game right now, Hamilton is THE MAN (and pig) for the Canes currently. Having 21 points in only 19 games is quite amazing, in fact that also means Hamilton is over half way to his point total from last year in only 19 games.

Sounds great right? This definitely give Hamilton an edge in skill, potential, and production. Having come out of his shell, Hamilton is a go to guy for the Canes when they are in a rut, and need defensive stops as well as offensive production.

Hamilton has also become quite the fan favorite recently. From antics of riding scooters around Raleigh to cup checking Canes staff before games, nobody has more fun than this guy. Fans love him, Svechnikov loves him, what else do you need.

While Hamilton does not wear a letter on the front there is no doubt the man is leader on and off the ice. So it would appear that Hamilton is the perfect candidate for the franchise tag right? Well let’s look at his current contract situation.

Hamilton is currently 26 years old and is with the Canes for the next two seasons. Will the Canes fork up some cold hard cash to keep the lovable blue liner, of course. But in two seasons is it truly worth it to put a lifetime tag on someone who is already 28? Probably not.

So Dougie has it all, but might is a little to old to make this seem logistical, so let’s look at some of the young guns.

2. Sebastian Aho

Ah yes, of course the first young super star the Canes consider is none-other than the kryptonite of Montreal, Sebastian Aho.

Aho Definitely has the skill and production. Just take a look at what he can do on the ice.

Now potential is where the waters do get shaky for the young Fin. When Aho is hot, he’s HOT. but when he is cold, it’s as bad as the ice they play on. It took Aho quite a few games this season to get going, but now that he is, watch out. Let’s not even mention the post all-star break drought either. Is Aho unpredictable? No, but he needs to find out how to always stay hot.

Now in Aho we trust, and will for the next five years thanks to our Canadian friends. Aho will do special things with this franchise, but should the Canes franchise tag him with an amazing 5 year deal at 22 years of age? No.

You must be thinking, who is left?? The Golden child, that’s who.