Breaking: Hurricanes officially match offersheet on Aho

In case you missed it, the Montreal Canadiens signed Carolina Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho to a five year offsheet worth over $8 million per season yesterday afternoon.

The Canadiens have announced that they have tendered an offer sheet to restricted free agent Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes. The proposed contract is for five years, with an average annual value of $8.454 million.#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 1, 2019

Of course, because Aho is a restricted free agent (RFA) the Hurricanes can either match the Habs’ offer to Aho or they can elect to walk away from the deal. If they go this route, they’ll receive a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick from the Habs as compensation. The Hurricanes have a week to match the offer… but in effect they’ve already made their decision.

Hurricanes GM Don Waddell and owner Tom Dundon have both confirmed their intention to match Aho’s offer and retain his services for the next five seasons. In fact, the Hurricanes made the news official this morning.

FIVE YEARS!

The #Canes intend to match the @CanadiensMTL offer sheet.

More » https://t.co/UAHfnpMzdi pic.twitter.com/cN4NNJeIQF
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 2, 2019

You’ll note the use of “intend to” meaning that the Hurricanes haven’t officially filed paperwork with the league just yet. Chances are they’re letting Habs GM Marc Bergevin sweat things out over the next six days.

In effect the Habs are handcuffed and cannot make ANY transactions until the Hurricanes file their paperwork with the NHL.

“Maybe I don’t want to help them right now,” Waddell smiled.

Petty? Maybe. Do we love it? Yes.