Aston-Reese had a goal, four SOG, and a -2 plus/minus through six games in the playoffs but will be the odd man out of Toronto's lineup for Game 2 vs. Florida on Thursday. Sam Lafferty will replace him on the Maple Leafs' fourth line.
Reese was the odd man out of the Maple Leafs' lineup for the last two games of round one as the team elected to go with seven defensemen but will draw back into Toronto's lineup for Game 1 vs. Florida on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has a goal, three SOG, and a -2 plus/minus through five games so far in the 2022-23 playoffs.
Aston-Reese was on a PTO during the preseason and turned it into a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs. Aston-Reese is a strong two-way winger, who had 15 points (5G / 10A) in 69 games last season. He'll be in the Maple Leafs' bottom-6 to begin the season.
Aston-Reese was acquired from the Penguins as a part of the Rickard Rakell trade on Monday and will jump right into the Ducks lineup on Wednesday. He is expected to replace Daniel O'Regan in the lineup and skate on the fourth line.
Aston-Reese missed Tuesday's game with an illness and will remain sidelined in St. Louis. Dominik Simon will stick on the Penguins' fourth line with Aston-Reese out.
With Aston-Reese unavailable vs. Winnipeg, look for Brian Boyle to replace him in the Penguins' bottom-6.
Aston-Reese has missed the last four games while n COVID-19 protocol but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday. While he's officially listed as a game-time decision, expect him to be back on a line with Teddy Bluger and Brock McGinn.
Aston-Reese missed the first two games of the regular season but it appears as if he will make his season debut on Saturday. Aston-Reese, who will skate on the third line, had nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 45 games last season.
Aston-Reese missed some of the preseason after a positive COVID-19 test in late September and will not be available for the season opener on Tuesday. However, Aston-Reese did travel to Florida and will be re-evaluated ahead of Thursday's game vs. the Panthers.
Aston-Reese missed the 11 games of the season while rehabbing offseason shoulder surgery but appears set to join the Penguins' lineup on Thursday. With Jared McCann out week-to-week, Aston-Reese will replace him and skate with familiar linemates in Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.
Aston-Reese underwent shoulder surgery in August and is expected to miss at least the first month of the season. With Aston-Reese out, the Penguins will likely have Evan Rodrigues or Drew O'Connor in their bottom-6 for the first month.
Aston-Reese was absent from Tuesday’s practice session but the Penguins expect him to be in the lineup vs. the Blues. Aston-Reese has just four goals and three assists (seven points) in 27 games this season.
Aston-Reese spent most of the 2018-19 season with the Penguins, where he had eight goals and nine assists (17 points) in 43 games. The 24-year-old posted ridiculous numbers at Northeastern University and solid AHL numbers but will be limited by his bottom-6 role with the Penguins.
