The Columbus Blue Jackets made a pair of moves on Tuesday, placing forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Brendan Gaunce on waivers. For Aston-Reese, it marks another turn in a career that’s seen him carve out a reputation as a gritty, physical presence with a defensive edge.
Now in his second season with Columbus, Aston-Reese has suited up for 26 games this year, tallying one goal and five points while racking up 79 hits. That physicality has always been a calling card for the 6-foot-1 forward, who’s never shied away from contact and consistently brings energy to the bottom six. Last season, he appeared in 79 games for the Blue Jackets, producing six goals, 11 assists, and 179 hits - a snapshot of the kind of two-way, grinding game he’s built his NHL career on.
Before his time in Columbus, Aston-Reese spent five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he broke into the league and made his mark as a reliable depth forward. Across 213 games with the Penguins from 2017-18 through 2021-22, he posted 29 goals, 33 assists, and 62 points, but perhaps more notably, he delivered 611 hits and finished with a plus-38 rating - numbers that underscore his value on the defensive side of the puck.
While he’s never been a high-end scorer, Aston-Reese has long been appreciated by coaches for his penalty-killing ability, forechecking tenacity, and willingness to play the hard minutes. With his name now on the waiver wire, it’ll be interesting to see if another team looking to bolster its bottom-six depth takes a swing on a player who brings experience, edge, and a strong defensive mindset.
Brendan Gaunce, also placed on waivers by Columbus, has had a more limited role but adds another name to watch as teams evaluate their organizational depth heading into the second half of the season.