Red Wings sign veteran forward

The Detroit Red Wings signed forward Zach Aston-Reese on a one-year, two-way contract according to a team announcement. 

According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the deal is a one-year $775k contract with a $350k guarantee. Seravalli also adds that he’ll be placed on waivers today so that the Red Wings can send him down to AHL Grand Rapids.

This signing comes after Aston-Reese was released from a PTO he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes.At a league-minimum cap hit, Aston-Reese is capable of providing a decent amount of value.

Although he doesn’t possess the size and physicality many coaches want to see out of fourth-line role players, Aston-Reese has established himself as a strong defensive contributor in the NHL.

Aston-Reese was a star scorer in the NCAA and has produced decently in the AHL, but in the NHL Aston-Reese’s offense has all but dried up. He scored 10 goals and 14 points in 77 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, and for 2023-24 the Red Wings would be mistaken to expect anything more than quality defensive contributions from their newest signing.

The Red Wings already have quite a bit of depth along their wings. With the news that Aston-Reese will end up on waivers, it appears the plan for Detroit will be to have him start out in the AHL, and then serve as a first-choice call-up option for head coach Derek Lalonde.