As we celebrated Sebastian Aho’s resigning with the Carolina Hurricanes, on his 26th Birthday no less, my immediate attention turned to how Aho will grow with the Canes over the next couple of years. I would not surprise me if fans and the Hurricanes alike see a different but not entirely new Sebastian Aho next season, and certainly over the next several years.
Also, check out the clip used to announce Aho’s contract in Finland. Thing of beauty, am I right?
the clip they used in the news 💀 pic.twitter.com/rLIMmYb4cP
— L 🖤 (@sebihinet) July 26, 2023
Despite missing 8 games last year, the ultimate Finn to get wins, was almost a point a night producer and finished with 36 goals and 31 assists in the regular season. Aho’s production barely missed the point at night mark with 12 points over 15 games in the playoffs.
But as Aho takes more of a new leadership role, I am wondering if we see a decrease in goal scoring.
Of course Carolina is going to depend on Fishy finding the net as much or more than anyone on the team. As long as Teuvo Teräväinen is healthy, he will likely be the number one assist source for Aho, that goes without saying. Unless of course, Rod Brind’Amore decides new lines are in order and splits up Aho and Teräväinen.
It is not outside the realm of possibility. Aho seemed to be ok last season with Teräväinen out for a couple of long streaks.
It’s on the first power play unit that the Hurricanes might see more from Aho than we expect.
Stefan Noesen, Martin Necas, and Andrei Svechnikov can score as well as anyone. Brent Burns is one of the best passers in the league, leaving Aho to serve as the decoy to draw defenses out for snipe passing to Noesen, Necas, and Svechnikov.
This new role as a snipe passer won’t be anything new for Aho. He has decent numbers feeding the puck to other goal scorers. His career high 53 assists came in a year when he scored 30. Those 30 goals are the third highest in his NHL career. 5 of his 7 years with the Canes, Aho has been north of the 30 assist mark with a total of 35 in NHL Playoff games.
No bad for a guy who’s number job has been to score.
With a new 8 year contract extension, Sebastian Aho is set. Granting tenure, to use an academic term, means there will be the opportunity for new developments in Aho’s already solid game. Elements can grow without the worry of being worthy of a resign. (Not that there was any doubt.) I think it will be in the area of assisting with scoring , especially on the power play, where in the past his main focus has only been on scoring.
Whatever the outcome, I think the Carolina Hurricanes will continue to thrive so long as Sebastian Aho is on the ice wearing red and black.