Canes agree to 3-year deals with Sebastian Aho, Aleksi Saarela

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to three-year entry-level contracts with forward Sebastian Aho and center Aleksi Saarela.

The team announced the terms Monday. Aho's deal will pay the 18-year-old $832,500 at the NHL level or $70,000 in the American Hockey League for each season. Aho also receives a signing bonus of $277,500.

Carolina selected Aho in the second round of the 2015 draft.

Saarela's deal will pay $625,000 next season, $675,000 in 2017-18 and $750,000 in 2018-19 at the NHL level or $70,000 in the American Hockey League. He also received a signing bonus of $277,500.

Carolina acquired the 19-year-old from the New York Rangers in February in the deal that included parting with longtime Hurricanes star Eric Staal.

Both prospects played in Finland's top professional league last season.