With Robby Fabbri set to miss Saturday night’s game against Tampa Bay, the Red Wings needed to bring up a forward. They’ve decided that forward will be Zach Aston-Reese as the team announced that the winger has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids.
The 29-year-old was able to turn a PTO into a guaranteed deal last season with Toronto, a move that worked out relatively well for him. Aston-Reese set career highs in games played (77) and goals (10) in 2022-23 while recording 163 hits in what was predominantly a fourth-line role. He also suited up in six playoff contests, picking up a goal along with 16 more hits despite averaging less than nine minutes a night.
However, Aston-Reese once again had to go the PTO route for this season, getting one with Carolina a month ago. It wasn’t successful and he was cut earlier this month, but he was able to rebound quickly, inking a two-way deal with Detroit last Sunday. That move coincided with a waiver placement where he passed through unclaimed, resulting in him suiting up for the Griffins in their opener last night.
While Aston-Reese’s recall gives the Red Wings a dozen healthy forwards on the roster, don’t expect that to automatically mean that he will play. Instead, it appears as if they’ll go with seven defensemen, allowing Olli Maatta to make his season debut. Fabbri, meanwhile, is listed as day-to-day and hasn’t been ruled out for Monday’s contest against Columbus.
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