Carolina matches offer for Aho

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping star forward Sebastian Aho and say they will match the $42 million offer sheet the Montreal Canadiens tendered him.

General manager Don Waddell announced the decision Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the Canadiens extended their offer to the 21-yearold restricted free agent. Aho will receive a five-year, front-loaded, bonus-heavy contract worth $42.27 million. It carries an average annual value of $8.454 million.

“Writing that check is no big deal,” team owner and billionaire Tom Dundon said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t want to do contracts that are best for the organization.”

Waddell, who last week said the Hurricanes would match any offers extended to Aho, called it “an easy decision.”

Extending offer sheets to restricted free agents has been a rare move in the NHL, with Aho the first player to receive one since Calgary tendered one to then-colorado center Ryan O’reilly six years ago.

Notable

• The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Dalton Prout and forward Jonny Brodzinski to one-year contracts. General manager Doug Wilson called the 29-year-old Prout, a former Blue Jacket, a “responsible” defender who will provide a good net-front presence for the Sharks. Prout had one goal and one assist in 20 games last season for Calgary.

• The Buffalo Sabres said top draft pick Dylan Cozens needs a “procedure” to repair an injured left thumb. He was hurt Saturday during a threeon-three scrimmage on the final day of the Sabres’ developmental camp. A video showed Cozens leaving the ice with his thumb appearing dislocated.