Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho Has Potential for 100-Point & Hart Trophy Season

The Carolina Hurricanes are 5-1-1 through seven games after winning their last five. The defending Stanley Cup champions are absolutely rolling, showing no signs of slowing down. One of the huge reasons for the recent run of form is Finnish forward Sebastian Aho. In seven games, he has six goals and 11 points. That said, is he in store for a 100-point season and put himself into the Hart Trophy conversations?

Can’t Slow Down Aho

What makes Aho’s start to the season impressive is that he is on a six-game point streak, as he’s been one of the big contributors to the Hurricanes’ recent success. His six goals have him tied for first in the NHL, while his five assists are tied for 15th, and his 11 points are tied for fourth. Compared to last season’s start, where he had only four goals in the first eight games, he is on the best start of his career.

One thing that’s helped Aho get off to a hot start to the season is his three power-play goals. He had seven total last season in 79 games. He is almost to half of last year’s total in seven games. When asked about the early success on the power play, he stated, “Obviously there’s a pre-scout; you try and look a little bit at what they’re going to do, what their tendencies are, but I’ve always said it comes down to execution, the passes and the shots. There’s always plays that you think you’re going to run, but it’s hockey, you know? You’ve got to play hockey, and there’s a reason why you’re on the power play. Fly, for example, on that pass in the slot for me- it was elite. Happy to be good in that department too.”

With Seth Jarvis still slated to return from shoulder surgery recovery sometime between the end of October and early December, Aho’s supernova start to the season is what the Hurricanes needed. His best season was in 2023-24, when he finished with 89 points in 78 games. Currently, he is on a 1.57 points-per-game average and on pace to finish the season with 129 points. Anything above 90 points will be beneficial for both him and the team, but to possibly claim the first 100-point season since Eric Staal‘s 2005-06 season would be the cherry on top.

If Aho does reach 100 points for the first time in his career, especially after winning the Stanley Cup last season, does this put him in the Hart Trophy conversations? Furthermore, if he reaches 110 to 120 points, that should solidify him as at least a finalist. While there are still 77 games left in the season, it is possible for him to reach that realm if he can keep a consistent pace.

That said, could Aho keep up this current pace? Even if he drops down to a 1.2 points per game pace, that’s still at least a 105-point season. The Hockey Writers back in August published an article about him possibly playing freer with the pressure of winning the Stanley Cup off his shoulders. So far through seven games this season, this could be the case as he’s on a supernova start to the 2026-27 season.

However the season goes, it’s clear that Aho is playing on another level after winning the Stanley Cup. His shooting percentage is at an all-time high (25%); he’s more physical, more dominant on and off the puck, and has 11 points in seven games. This dominant start has helped the Hurricanes start the season 5-1-1 after dropping the first two games. It’ll be interesting to see how the next 77 games go for Aho, but if he can stay within the realm of this current run of form, watch out for a 100-point season and a potential case for the Hart Trophy.