Hurricanes and Aho thinking long-term
Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho is not thinking about his next contract and when he might sign it.
Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon wants to have Aho signed long-term, and Aho is thinking the same.
GM Don Waddell and agent Gerry Johannson have been talking and Waddell expects a deal will get done before the end of the season.
Waddell added they’ve had lots of positive talks as they work towards a long-term deal, and they aren’t far off on money.
“The amount of money we’re talking, there’s not a crazy difference,” Waddell said.
Waddell said they have some comparable groups which could range from Mark Scheifele at $6.125 to Jack Eichel‘s $10 million. They obviously won’t go as high as Eichels, but Aho will become their highest paid player. Jordan Staal is at $6 million.
The Hurricanes would consider moving Pesce if….
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1050 and said that from his understanding the Carolina Hurricanes would consider moving defenseman Brett Pesce in a deal for Toronto Maple Leafs RFA William Nylander. Now, it’s not known if the Maple Leafs want to trade Nylander, and would the Hurricanes be able to sign him.
“But listen, what we know is this: Carolina is monitoring it very closely. They’ve informed the Leafs that they want to know if and when the Leafs open up the trade possibility to teams, and that’s where it’s at. The rest is all us trying to fill in the blanks.
“Yeah, they absolutely really like Brett Pesce, but they also are very deep on defense and I believe the Hurricanes think they’re a top-six forward away from being even a better team.
“So it’s something to keep in mind.”
