“Columbus Blue Jackets acquire former Maple Leafs forward”

The Columbus Blue Jackets enter the 2024-2025 season with low expectations. In a crowded Metropolitan Division, the Jackets are expected to finish at the bottom of the table again. Despite the pessimistic outlook, the company is doing everything it can to remain competitive.

The Blue Jackets weren't quite done with their moves yet, as official rosters were still up to the league. After placing a large group of players on waivers, Columbus found much-needed depth for its forward group. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Jackets claimed forward Zach Aston-Reese after the Vegas Golden Knights waived him.

Aston-Reese joins the Blue Jackets hoping to add pizzazz and energy to the bottom-six forward group. The 30-year-old forward is now playing in his fifth NHL organization. He spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings. He played most of his season in the AHL with the Grand Rapid Griffins, but he skated in three games for the NHL club.

Aston-Reese began his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was signed by the NCAA as an undrafted free agent and developed into a premier winger on the Pens' fourth line. His best offensive season came in the 2019–2019 season, when he scored eight goals and finished with 17 points. Over the course of his NHL career, he played 310 games with 42 goals and 80 points.

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