Montreal Canadiens Rumour: Offer Sheet For Sebastien Aho?
The Montreal Canadiens cleared lots of cap space with a few trades yesterday and the rumour this morning is they could be targeting Sebastien Aho with an offer sheet today.
The Montreal Canadiens headed into free agency with lots of cap space. They cleared even more of it yesterday when they dealt Andrew Shaw to the Chicago Blackhawks and Nic Deslauriers to the Anaheim Ducks.
With close to $15 million in cap space for next season, you knew they Habs were clearing up space to try and make a huge splash today.
That inkling was confirmed this morning when TSN hockey insider hinted that the Montreal Canadiens could be preparing an offer sheet for superstar center of the Carolina Hurricanes, Sebastian Aho.
According to sources, Carolina got calls from 3 different teams today on Sebastian Aho, hinting at an offer sheet. The 'Canes told them they would match any offer sheet. Carolina did tell them they would entertain trade conversation. Believe that Habs is among 3 teams who called
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2019
This would be an incredible add to the Montreal Canadiens. Aho is a 21 year old that scored 83 points in 82 games last season. He also put up 65 points in 78 games the season prior and is a bonafide top line center.
Being from Finland, Aho would fit extremely well into the Canadiens lineup with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Joel Armia and Artturi Lehkonen already on the roster.
The Carolina Hurricanes do have cap space, but would have a hard time paying for Aho if he were to get an offer sheet that had lots of money up front in the form of signing bonuses. The Canadiens would have no problem dishing out a $10 million signing bonus later today and once again next July 1 to make it very difficult for a more cash strapped team like the Hurricanes to match.
If the average annual value of the deal exceeds $10.6 million, the Canadiens would have to hand over their next four first round picks. However, if they can keep that cap hit below $10.6 million, they would surrender their next two first round picks, a second round pick and a third round pick next season.
Next. What to know heading into free agent frenzy. dark
Basically, the Habs would be trading two first round picks and Andrew Shaw for one of the bets young centres in the National Hockey League. Not having a selection in the first round when the draft is in Montreal next year would be tough, but if they can dangle Aho in front of their fans, there won’t be any complaints.