Before long, the NHL won’t have two Sebastian Ahos. The Penguins depth defender is expected to sign with Växjö Lakers HC of the Swedish Hockey League when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, Adam Savonen of Norran reports.
It’s far from a surprise. Aho inked a two-year, league-minimum contract with Pittsburgh in 2024 but hasn’t played a single NHL game for the Penguins. He’s cleared waivers twice and has spent the entire deal with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where injuries and adherence to veteran maximums have limited him to just 39 games over the last two years.
The 30-year-old Swede has long been an intriguing puck-mover near the bottom of a lineup, but his 5’10” frame has limited NHL teams’ willingness to deploy him, even in sheltered situations. A fifth-round pick by the Islanders in 2017, he spent his entire career with them before leaving for Pittsburgh in free agency. He made 190 appearances for the club from 2017-24, notching 11 goals and 39 assists for 50 points with a -10 rating.
He’s kept up his respectable point production in the minors. He had 14 assists in 27 games with the Baby Pens last year and has a goal and five points in 12 outings this year. He returned to the lineup this week for the first time in a month and a half, so while he may have some time down the stretch to boost his stock, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him opt to return to his home country regardless to play out the back half of his pro career.