What's up with Aho?

[Conspiracy Theorist]

If Aho keeps progressing there will be discussion if he's the second best centerman in his draft.

 

[CanuckGame39]

Aho is an incredible player. Quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the league.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

This thread is comical. Entirely.

I’m not even a Canes fan but I can recognize his skill.

He is off to a grrrrrreat start. So I have no idea why this thread was created. Bye.

I think it’s referencing/mocking this one that was made last season after a semi slow start by Aho.

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/whats-up-with-sebastian-aho.2409913/

Which is just hilarious timing, as Aho has 67 points in 68 games since that thread was made.

 

[Jaguar God]

What is this thread even?

 

[PWJunior]

Sebastian Aho needs Sebastian Aho to truly unlock his Super Saiyan form. Sebastian Aho and Sebastian Aho could account for the goal AND an assist! Or the primary AND secondary assist. Imagine the possibilities. Call Lou.

 

[ijuka]

The best Finnish player is still Barkov. Lets see if Aho can keep this up for a whole season before these hot takes.

Aho over Barkov any day. Aho will finish with 100+ points.

 

[Critical13]

If he hits 70 points while getting top matchups at C then he is no question a #1C.

I’d already put him in that Johansen tier of tweeners.

 

[ijuka]

So because someone is good at something means no others can be better?

He can be better. But he is definitely not "much" better at it. Or he'd be a 150 point player.

 

[JackSlater]

I don't like making conclusions based on the first few games of the season but Aho probably fits the bill based on the ability he has previously shown. No reason he can't be a top end centre.

 

[ponder]

He was already a legit 1st line winger last year, though obviously the bar is higher at C, as are the 2-way responsibilities. I’d like to see him prove himself at C (at the NHL level) for more like 20-40 games before declaring him a “legit 1C”, but he’s off to a great start.

 

[RibFrabcus]

"Marner is playing with JT yes"

This argument is now over with that comment. Point has been proven. Seriously though, why di Leaf fans come in here and do this in every thread about someone who isn't a Leaf?

Adjusting for higher quality teammates is fine, negating anything a player does because of it is absurd. Coming from a canes fan.

 

[Scorcho]

what is this thread even

 

[DaveG]

legit lol'd

 

[BusQuets]

He was on his own level against Wild. Amazing how he has been able to take yet another step forward. If there's a player in the league that resembles McDavid, right now i can't think of a better one than Aho.

I will also say that when NHL joins the next Olympics Barkov won't be the #1 center on Finnish team.

 

[SotasicA]

Obviously not serious, but I'll bite.

Would a trade for struggling Laine make sense for Carolina?

No. The Hurricanes would have to tear up their team.

 

[LakeLivin]

Too bad there's not some mechanism on HFB to clearly identify the posters that are unh, . . . "outliers" among the rest of their team's fan base. Too many readers don't recoginze them, and wrongly attribute their extreme views to the team's general fan base.

 

[Mickey Marner]

It's funny how quickly you can go from looking weak down the middle, to feeling confident with a group of Aho, Staal and Necas.

 

[SillyRabbit]

In my mind he’s absolutely a #1C.

He’s shown great durability and the the ability to handle the full NHL season while putting up good numbers.

Looks like a natural progression to me that he’s now achieving his potential as a #1C, hopefully he can maintain his PPG status and contend for the scoring title.

 

[Fables]

He was already a legit 1st line winger last year, though obviously the bar is higher at C, as are the 2-way responsibilities. I’d like to see him prove himself at C (at the NHL level) for more like 20-40 games before declaring him a “legit 1C”, but he’s off to a great start.

I agree that 5 games is too small of a sample size to make conclusions. However there are other reasons (besides those 5 games) to believe that Aho will be legit 1C in NHL and likely a very good/elite one.

-Aho played 1C for Finland in WJC and was great in that role
-He has high IQ and has always been a player that makes others in the same line better whether Aho has played center or winger
-He played C for Carolina the last few games last season and did not look out of place
-He played C for Finland in world championships last spring and was again great in that role...and finished second in the score board between Patrik Kane and Connor McDavid
-He has always had very good two way game and high compete level
-Not only has he great stats in those five games this season but he has also passed the eye test with flying colors.

At this point I have little doubt that Aho is/will be a legit 1C. The current pace is of course not sustainable but Aho still seems to be on an upward trajectory in his development so it will be very intresting to see how good he can actually be.

 

[eviohh26]

I still remember on draft day when Selane said he has the tools to become better than Liane and poolparty.

 

[LakeLivin]

In a postgame interview last night Tripp mentioned that Aho looked faster and stronger on his skates this year and asked him if there was something in particular he had worked on over the summer. Aho's response: "I've been working for 21 years now to get better and I'm not done. I want to be better everyday."

Given his skills, hockey smarts, and attitude, I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb predicting that the kid is going to be a special player by the time he's done. Only down side to Aho's start this season is that the cost of extending him has undoubtedly gone up. Canes need to lock him down as quickly as possible.

 

[PensandCaps]

Anyone saying Aho isn't on the same level than Marner clearly hasn't watched him enough.

Aho is better.

Same point production.

Better all around player.

Plays a more important position.

Aho also has had a worse team and linemates to work with

 

[Backcheckmonster3]

In a postgame interview last night Tripp mentioned that Aho looked faster and stronger on his skates this year and asked him if there was something in particular he had worked on over the summer. Aho's response: "I've been working for 21 years now to get better and I'm not done. I want to be better everyday."

Given his skills, hockey smarts, and attitude, I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb predicting that the kid is going to be a special player by the time he's done. Only down side to Aho's start this season is that the cost of extending him has undoubtedly gone up. Canes need to lock him down as quickly as possible.

What´s most impressive about him is his mindset. Pragmatic, sensible, intelligent approach. He seems to know his strenghts and weaknesses and works to adapt all the time to optimize his impact. Reminds me of Scheifele in that regard except he even broke out way earlier.

 

[Kamiccolo]

I'll say it. If Aho had the media exposure Marner has and was playing center like he has this year, he'd already be a top 10 C ranked by Sportsnet and TSN. This could be the best thing for Carolina to get a legitimate star center and surround them with a yearly playoff team and they are almost there. They need more exposure, put him in an outdoor game or something.

 

[AvsFan29]

Already four points behind Matthews. I think he needs a goal scorer on his wing as otherwise a lot of his playmaking potential goes to waste in missed goal opportunities. Would a trade for struggling Laine make sense for Carolina?

I'm not sure Laine would be the best player to trade for. McDavid would be a better fit. Put McDavid on wing and let Aho feed him sick passes all game.

If for some reason you can't trade for McDavid, I'd settle for MacKinnon or even Matthews if need be.