In fact, Waddell told NHL.com that the Hurricanes, who announced their intention to match after just one day, knew they would be keeping Aho within two minutes of receiving the five-year, $42.27 million offer.
"Everybody thinks we're not in a big so-called hockey market, but we're fortunate to have an owner that's been very successful in life and the one thing he recognizes is talent and assets," Waddell said. "We certainly weren't going to let this asset get away from us at this point. We got the offer at 2:40pm on that Monday and we knew at 2:42, once we both had a chance to read it, that we were going to match it."
"We talked. He wants to be here, the agent told him this is a way to get this contract one way or another and not have to go through it all summer. It's part of the CBA, it's part of the business, and you just have to accept it. I think you put it behind you. Sebastian is a great kid and I know what he's meant to our franchise, so I think everybody at the end of the day is very pleased with the outcome of him being a Hurricane for at least the next five years."