Hurricanes forward agrees to $78 million deal. Pettersson will surely be looking for more
Sebastian Aho celebrated his 26th birthday by agreeing to a new eight-year $78 million dollar extension to remain with the Carolina Hurricanes. The deal carries an average annual value of $9.75 million and contains a no movement clause for the first seven seasons and trade protection in the final year.
In his seven seasons in the National Hockey League, the Finn has been a reliable and consistent point producer and a big part of a successful Carolina program. Aho has registered career-highs of 38 goals and 83 points in a single season and over his career has amassed 468 points in 523 regular season games.
Aho has also appeared in 63 Stanley Cup playoff games producing 58 points over that span. Interestingly in his five trips to the post-season, he has had either 11 or 12 points in each season so there has been remarkably consistency to his game but he has yet to put together that singular breakout playoff run that could help put the Hurricanes over the top.
So what does Aho's deal with Carolina mean for Elias Pettersson and the Vancouver Canucks?
It certainly sets a new baseline and serves as a comparable whenever the two sides begin negotiations for Pettersson's next deal. While Aho has twice been an 80-plus point producer in his time in the league and has a far more extensive body of playoff performance, Pettersson has accomplished more individually and at a younger age.
The Canucks slick centre is 15 months younger than Aho and already has a 39-goal and 102 point season to his credit. Pettersson is also ahead of Aho on a points-per-game basis to this point in their careers with Pettersson sitting with 323 points in 325 regular season games (.994) compared to Aho at .895. Those factors certainly work in Pettersson's favour.
Keep in mind, too, that if Pettersson signs in this off-season he is coming off a far superior platform season than Aho who had 36 goals and 67 points in 2022-23. Beyond that, Pettersson finished seventh in Selke balloting as one of the league's top defensive forwards compared to Aho
All those factors seem to suggest that Pettersson and his camp would be within their right to push for a contract in the mid 10-million dollar range. But with the prospect of an expanded salary cap beyond next season, Pettersson may be looking for a deal that starts with an 11.
Currently only eight players -- and just five forwards -- in the NHL have a cap hit next season of $11 million or more. Two of those players are Connor McDavid ($12.5M) and Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6M). As good as he is, Pettersson is not at their level. The reality of the situation is that breaking the 11-million dollar threshold could prove to be difficult.
But based solely on the new Aho comparable, Pettersson should easily crack the 10-million dollar mark. And then it's a question of how much higher can he get?
The Canucks would be wise to try to get to the bargaining table as soon as possible and get something done before this season starts. Because if a motivated Pettersson picks up where he left off in a career year last season, the price will only go higher for the hockey club.
It seems the Canucks would do well to lock Pettersson in for eight years at $10.5 million. But ultimately even that figure may not be enough to get pen to paper.