With training camp around the corner, the Toronto Maple Leafs look to add more bodies, and it includes forward Zach Aston-Reese.
Zach Aston-Reese will be in attendance when the Toronto Maple Leafs open up training camp later this month.
The NHL club announced Friday that they signed the forward to a professional tryout contract (PTO).
The 28-year-old split last season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks where he collected five goals and 15 points in 69 games.
The native of Staten Island, New York is coming off a one-year deal that paid him $1.725 million.
As training camps get closer, clubs around the NHL begin to sign players to PTOs to help fill out their lineups, while giving an opportunity to players who have yet to sign professional contracts with any particular club.
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector reported that the Edmonton Oilers also had an interest in Aston-Reese.
Where Aston-Reese can fit with the Maple Leafs
With Toronto always in search of forward depth, Aston-Reese’s attendance is a low-risk add for the Leafs. He’ll have to outperform signed forwards like Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Adam Gaudette if he wants to convert his PTO to a standard player contract (SPC)with Toronto.
While his offensive numbers aren't anything to write home about, Aston-Reese is one of the most effective players on the other side of the puck, with a 99 percentile in even-strength defense according to JFresh Hockey
He could easily fit in as a shutdown fourth-line role where his lack of offense would be insulated and bring out his strength.
As a PTO, Aston-Reese can still sign an SPC with any other NHL club if there is interest.
Last year, the Maple Leafs signed Josh Ho-Sang to a PTO and eventually signed him to an AHL contract to play with the Toronto Marlies.
Ho-Sang ended up signing in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev for this season.
Further Reading
