Maple Leafs sign talented free agent forward to PTO
The Oilers wanted him as well.
HockeyFeed
Earlier on Friday, it was reported that one of the top forwards left available on the market, Zach Aston-Reese, was hoping to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
His wish came true later today as the team announced they had signed Aston-Reese to a professional tryout contrat.
Aston-Reese isn’t used to getting left behind like this. Back in college, he became one of the more prized college free agents once he got out of Northeastern University at the conclusion of the 2016-17 college season. He went on to sign a two-year, entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017 and cracked the NHL for the first time in 2017-18. He spent four seasons with the Penguins before they traded him at the most recent deadline, along with with Calle Clang, Dominik Simon a second round pick in the 2022 draft ( which became Tristan Luneau ) to the Anaheim Ducks in return for Rickard Rakell. The Ducks did not ask him to stay and Aston-Reese was looking for a new start.
It will take place in Toronto.
Earlier on Friday, Mark Spector pointed out that the Edmonton Oilers were interested in signing Aston-Reese to a professional tryout contract, however, Toronto beat them to it.
The Maple Leafs could certainly use this forward who has made a name for himself as one of the top defensive players and ZAR will get the chance to prove his worth at training camp in order to crack the roster. If he does, maybe Aston-Reese’s services could help the Maple Leafs solidify the backend while bringing power up front.
