Maple Leafs sign depth forward to a professional tryout contract

When he became an unrestricted free agent in July, no one could have predicted that Zach Aston-Reese would have gone this long without signing a contract.

Granted, he isn't a top-six forward, but he is pretty reliable in a third-line role and you can never have enough depth when you're an NHL franchise going through a long, grueling 82-game push towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Friday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they've signed Aston-Reese to a professional tryout contract and will join the team for training camp in a couple of weeks.

Aston-Reese, a native of Staten Island (New York), signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins out of college in 2017. He went on to play parts of five seasons with the Pens before being dealt to Anaheim in March of this year.

In 69 games last season between Pittsburgh and Anaheim, Aston-Reese put up fifteen points (five goals, ten assists), 28 penalty minutes and was a plus-nine.

We have signed forward Zach Aston-Reese to a professional tryout (PTO) contract. pic.twitter.com/5CO81MNKOH— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 9, 2022

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Jack Sutherland Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Jack Sutherland Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By Jack Sutherland David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES