Hurricanes Re-Sign Sebastian Aho, Match Canadiens' 5-Year, $42.3M Offer Sheet

Sebastian Aho isn't going anywhere.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday that they matched the five-year, $42.3 million offer sheet Aho signed with the Montreal Canadiens. 

Team president and general manager Don Waddell spoke about the move:

"This was an easy decision. Sebastian is one of the best players in the league and the centerpiece of what we're building here. We've spoken to him throughout this process and he's made it clear that he wants to be in Raleigh and be a part of this organization.

"It's our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit free agency. There was no concern at any point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and all the resources to win a Stanley Cup."

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic broke down the details on Aho's new deal:

Aho, 21, is one of the NHL's emergent stars. He scored 30 goals and added 53 assists in 2018-19 and has improved in each of his three campaigns, going from 49 points as a rookie to 65 points in 2017-18 and 83 points last season. 

That made Aho an intriguing target, and the Canadiens made the rare move of extending the restricted free agent an offer sheet. As LeBrun noted, the offer sheet was the NHL's first in six-and-a-half years and came with a mixed response around the league.

"It is within the rules," Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford told him. "The Montreal Canadiens are doing what they believe is in their best interests, and now the Carolina Hurricanes are going to do what they believe is in their best interest."

Another league executive was less keen on Montreal's decision.

"The offer sheet is an available way to add a player. But it only makes sense if you are likely to get the player. This one, like the Ryan O'Reilly one [in 2013], was ill-conceived and doomed to fail from the get-go. All this accomplishes is it disrupts the marketplace and make the job of managers harder going forward, including his own."

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon added:

"I'm not angry. I'm just surprised that any team thought this had any chance of working. I guess the Carolina Hurricanes are still misunderstood if anyone anywhere thought this would be hard for us. I'm not upset with Sebastian, I am actually relieved to have this done. We all understand the players should do what they can to get their best contract. But this was never going to work for Montreal."

The Hurricanes will seek to return to the postseason after their run to the Eastern Conference Final, and getting Aho back makes Carolina a real threat.