Carolina Hurricanes Release Former Maple Leafs' Forward

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to trim their roster down ahead of the 2023-24 season and this time it's Zach Aston-Reese who was let go from his professional try out.

#Canes have released Zach Aston-Reese from his PTO. He scored 10 goals with the #Leafs last season.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 6, 2023

Aston-Reese was hopeful a strong camp and solid preseason would allow him to make the 'Canes fourth line wing, but that's not been the case at all. He's now an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any club. Given his season with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23, there's certainly a chance he eventually gets scooped up.

The 29-year-old Aston-Reese appeared in 77 games with the Maple Leafs last season, recording 10 goals and adding four assists. He's known as a bang-and-crash type player who gets by on work ethic and a strong forecheck. Unfortunately for him, ZAR doesn't have a ton of experience at center and his limited versatility is one of the reasons he was cut by the Canes.

Undrafted, Aston-Reese has played a total of 307 career NHL games and another 29 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs including for the Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Anaheim Ducks.