Sebastian Aho thought Canes trolling of Habs during Kotkaniemi offer sheet was 'pretty funny'

Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes, who once signed an offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens, was amused by the whole Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet trolling by his team. He felt the $20 signing bonus, 20 being his own number, was especially funny.

"To be honest, it's pretty funny to see a $20 signing bonus," Aho said at the NHL Player Media Tour. "All jokes aside, we got a pretty good player."

Aho said he and Kotkaniemi, both from Finland, talked on the phone during the offer sheet process and he gave his new teammate advice on restaurants and real estate in the area.

"We talked about general stuff. Trying to help him with some of the small things," Aho said.

As for the offer sheet itself, which worked in Carolina's favour, Aho said it's a good thing for the game.

"It got people talking. I think it's going to be a good thing. It's going to be fun playing them next year," Aho said. "It's part of the business. The social media is so huge these days. You don't have to play a game and you already have a buzz."

After deciding to match Aho's offer sheet from the Canadiens in 2019, the Hurricanes tendered one to Kotkaniemi for a one-year deal worth $6.1 million. Canes owner Tom Dundon insisted it wasn't about revenge, but added it likely wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for the Aho offer sheet. Carolina's Twitter account went on a trolling rampage the day the offer sheet was tendered to Kotkaniemi, announcing the offer in French and Tweeting out the UNO reverse card, among other things.

MUST READ

11 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Suspension looms after dangerous center-ice hit on Juraj Slafkovsky in game 4

54 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Police issue urgent warning after dangerous scene outside the Bell Centre during game

7 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Controversial call rocks crucial overtime game and leaves fans furious

8 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Canucks GM race heats up as fresh developments emerge

10 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Canadiens shake up roster after tough loss to Tampa Bay

10 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Canucks reportedly ready to let teams talk as major trade name emerges

11 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Nikita Kucherov stays down after scary cross-check into the boards

11 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Lightning hit with injury scare as veteran leaves game early

MORE STORIES