Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Forward to PTO

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Zach Aston-Reese to a professional tryout (PTO) contract.

We have signed forward Zach Aston-Reese to a professional tryout (PTO) contract. pic.twitter.com/5CO81MNKOH

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 9, 2022

Aston-Reese is one of the top free agents still available on the market, and he will now be aiming to earn himself a contract for the season with the Maple Leafs. He spent the 2021-22 campaign split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks, where he had five goals and 10 assists in 69 games. Overall, those numbers aren't bad from a bottom-six forward, so perhaps that could help his chances of landing a deal with Toronto.

Aston-Reese is also noted for his solid defensive play, so if he ends up earning a contract with Toronto, he could be a part of their penalty kill.

It will be interesting to see how Aston-Reese performs at camp for the Leafs. Time will tell if he joins Toronto officially from here or finds a home elsewhere. 

Photo Credit (both): © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports