This year Caniacs everywhere get to raise up and celebrate two birthdays, today and whichever day you were born on. We all get to take part in celebrating Sebastian Aho’s 26th birthday this year. The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Sebastian Aho to a major extension.
It was an announcement we have been waiting to hear all offseason. I for one am embarrassed to say I didn’t even think of it being a birthday gift to him and to us all. Guess I was just being impatient and wanted the gift of long term Aho as soon as possible.
Sebastian Aho’s contract is for 8 years $78 million, or an average annual value of $9.75 million (nearly 12% of the current available salary cap). This contract locks up the second Finnish forward for the Hurricanes until at least the end of the 2029-2030 season.
Because the extension takes effect next season and they did not have to renegotiate this year’s salary as part of that the Hurricanes still have almost $1 million in cap space to play with. That’s not much of story now, but that can be a much larger story when the trade deadline approaches.
This move is monumental for the Hurricanes. It helps to bring some long term planning more into focus. It also removes a somewhat large distraction from this offseason for the Hurricanes, just one day after adding another.
The now 26 year old Finn has been the focal point for this team since coming into the league, and now we know that will not change for years to come. His production cannot be overstated. He has led the team in goals every year since the 2017-2018 season including 41 game winning goals and has led the team in points over that same span with the exception of last year (shout out Marty Necas). Aho has also secured at least 11 points in each of the last 5 postseason runs.
The underrated two time all-star got the pay day he deserves, and is costing the Hurricanes less than $10 million a year. I would say this is a win for both the captain in waiting as well as the Caniacs around the globe.