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New Jersey Devils: Sebastian Aho Contract Could Lead To Nico Hischier Extension

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 29: Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) skates during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes on December 29, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 29: Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) skates during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes on December 29, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Hurricanes have to sign Sebastian Aho this offseason as he’s set to become a restricted free agent. One player who will pay close attention to how much money he gets is Nico Hischier.

One things New Jersey Devils fans can’t seem to figure out is how much money Nico Hischier is going to get on his next contract. There have been fans thinking he could get as little as $4 million per year on something like a four-year deal, while some say he’ll sign with an $8 million AAV on a max deal. Obviously, none of us know for sure, but one player who could tells us is the Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho.

Aho’s entry-level deal ends at the end of this season, and he’s going to be a restricted free agent. After watching his teammate Teuvo Teravainen get a five-year deal worth $27 million, Aho is now using that to say he should be paid more. Aho has 15 more points in the same games played. He’s never scored less than 20 goals in a season, including the one he’s currently playing in. He will easily pass 30 goals, and could get into the 35-40 goal range this season.

Aho is one of those great restricted free agents that has some experts thinking teams could sends an offer sheet this season. That only helps Aho drive up the price, however he has competition in the likes of Patrick Laine, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and Mikko Rantanen. If a team is going to be bold, they may decide to go after a different player than Aho, but either way he’s going to get paid.

And when he gets paid, Nico Hischier will walk into Ray Shero’s office and point to his contract. Hischier can’t compare himself to the likes of Matthews or Laine yet. They both have 40-goal seasons under their belts. However, Nico’s production the first two years could be compared with Aho.

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If Aho comes out of this summer with a $6 million deal, I’d imagine that Hischier could re-sign for a similar price right then and there. The Devils may sign Nico this offseason if they can avoid the drama of the contract year. This isn’t Blake Coleman or Miles Wood were talking about. We know Shero will want to sign him to a long-term deal.

Aho’s deal could come sooner rather than later. If that’s the case, then Nico will have to wait until July 1st to use this as leverage. Either way, this deal, whenever it happens, will help the Devils and Nico learn what a similar player is worth. Right now, Aho is worth a little more than Nico, but the two players are on the same progression.

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