The Flyers kept their Wednesday spending spree rolling by adding another veteran depth piece, landing Zach Aston-Reese on a two-year deal, according to his agent Dan Milstein.
The contract will pay Aston-Reese $850,000 at the NHL level in year one and $900,000 in year two, with an overall minimum of $700,000.
Aston-Reese, 31, brings nine years of NHL experience and has been around the league since first breaking in with Pittsburgh during the 2017-18 season. The Staten Island native has also spent time with the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. He played the last two seasons in Columbus.
Last season, Aston-Reese posted 5 points in 27 games with the Blue Jackets. Over his career, he has totaled 102 points in 416 games, and he has generally been known for his strong defensive numbers.
Philadelphia’s front office has been busy all day. Earlier on Wednesday, the Flyers added another depth forward in Noel Acciari on a two-year deal worth $2.8 million. They also secured winger Tyson Foerster on an eight-year extension that begins in the 2027-28 season and carries a $7.1 million salary cap hit.
The moves come as the Flyers try to build around a young core after a season that ended with them finishing second in the Metropolitan Division. They then knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in the second round.
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For the Flyers, the appeal goes beyond sentiment. A return would be judged against roster fit, role and timing, not just nostalgia, and that makes the conversation more complicated than a simple homecoming pitch. Giroux has remained productive into his late 30s, and if free agency opens the door, Philadelphia would at least have to decide whether this is the right moment to revisit a familiar face or let the past stay where it is. [Read more 🡒]
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Flyers May Have Another Blue Jackets Difference Maker In Sight
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There is also a broader sense that the Flyers are not limiting their attention to one avenue as they explore ways to sharpen the lineup. Columbus has the kind of talent that can change the conversation around a rebuilding or retooling club, and Philadelphias interest reflects how urgent the need remains after a power play that sputtered badly in the playoffs. Whether those talks lead anywhere is still unclear, but the Flyers are clearly looking for more than just depth pieces as they map out the next step. [Read more 🡒]