Leafs sign Zach Aston-Reese to one-year deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed forward Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year contract worth $840,000.

Aston-Reese was with the Leafs on a tryout contract, with the club electing to bring him in to help create extra competition for the team’s depth spots.

Aston-Reese split 2021-22 with Pittsburgh and Anaheim, going to the Ducks in the deal that sent Rickard Rakell to the Penguins. Aston-Reese had two goals and 11 points with Pittsburgh and an additional three goals and four points in 17 games with the Ducks after the trade deadline.

The defensive forward finished the pre-season with a goal and an assist while bringing energy to the team’s bottom-six.

The Leafs put depth forwards Kyle Clifford, Wayne Simmonds and Adam Gaudette on waivers on Sunday, helping to pave the way for an Aston-Reese deal. Simmonds was put on the trade block earlier in the day, with hopes of giving Simmonds a chance to keep his NHL career active.

Joey Anderson, another player looking for a shot at a bottom-six roster spot, cleared waivers on Sunday and is expected to start the season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Capfriendly has the Leafs sitting at $2.983 million over the salary cap. Timothy Liljegren and Jordie Benn will start the season on long-term injured reserve, while defenseman Carl Dahlstrom will be on season opening injured reserve.

Still, there could be some interesting roster moves made in short order in Toronto.