1) Aho is 17 months older. Whether it's D+1 or D+3 isn't relevant, there are 17 months separating them in age.
2) You are conveniently ignoring that Nico plays with Taylor Hall. Put Aho on Hall's line and I guarantee that his ES numbers would be much better than they are today.
3) You are conveniently ignoring that Nico got more Ozone starts and faced weaker competition than Aho.
4) You are conveniently ignoring that NJ is the 15th best goal scoring team in the league and Carolina is the 23rd.
5) You are conveniently ignoring that NJ has the 10th ranked PP in the league and Carolina has the 22nd.
Also, this is only Aho's 2nd season on NA ice as well.
So you are right, it's not just about points.
I won't disagree that Nico has more value than Aho or Slavin right now. That was never my argument. It's your statement that Nico (and Slavin) have significantly more value than Aho. In fact, I'm fairly certain the Canes brass think Aho > Slavin right now (based on Dundon's end of season press conference statements). So you are off base.
Right now, Pesce is SIGNIFICANTLY better defensively and Severson is BARELY better offensively, even with much more sheltered minutes. (0.96 P/60 ES vs. 0.86 P/60). Severson is also a draft year ahead of Pesce and is in his 4th NHL season vs. Pesce's 3rd. Maybe Severson does have more "upside", but as of right now, he's certainly not showing it, even with significantly more PP time and his most common ES forwards are Hall, Hischier and Bratt. If the Devil's offered Severson for Pesce, straight up, I'm fairly certain the Canes would hang up.
Ignore that poster, he's doing it on purpose. Still doesn't excuse your poor valuations in response.