Confirmed with Link: Penguins sign NCAA leading scorer Zach Aston-Reese

[Honour Over Glory]

Yeah 2 out of those had a rough year with injuries and diseases but I still have a ton of hope for them in our system.

 

[shureshot66]

So the Penguins have pulled off Bengtsson, Prow, DiPauli and now Aston-Reese in the last year. That is some very nice depth to the prospect pool being added.

Hopefully this one avoids Lyme disease.

 

[Shady Machine]

Yay. I had little expectation that we'd win this one so this is great. WBS will have a nice influx of talent as the Pens get healthy and this kid and Sprong get there

 

[shureshot66]

That is the case with most, but usually the top couple of the class (of which ZAR is) have the first year of their ELC burned off by the signing club as a little 'bonus' for choosing to sign with them. The fact Aston-Reese didn't says to me that he was pretty well set on signing with the Penguins, which would fit the narrative the past couple days.

Nice to see a Boston-educated New Yorker somehow grew up a Penguins fan.

Very true -- good point.

Even something that comes up with the drafted guys. Seems like there's a debate which route Boeser will take with Vancouver.

 

[Malkinstheman]

When do our prospects seasons end? Taylor and josephs are bad adds and maybe byron too.

 

[HuskerTornado]

Another guy with a Nebraska tie (Lincoln Stars in his USHL days). Nice. lol

 

[Empoleon8771]

When do our prospects seasons end? Taylor and josephs are bad adds and maybe byron too.

The rumor I saw with Byron was that he wasn't going to sign with Pittsburgh and would instead become a free agent in August. Bringing in ZAR makes up for losing him though.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

Info on Aston-Reese

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/03/04/top-2017-college-hockey-free-agents/

The author appears to have unwittingly exposed himself as Batman in the footer of the piece.

 

[MrBrightside]

There can't be many teams with more Americans and more college players than the Pens. I'd have to think these guys seeing what Sheary and Rust and Guentzel and Dumoulin are doing makes an impact on the decision-making process.

 

[Stad]

I love free stuff!

 

[shaler79]

We need the dudes!!

 

[clefty]

Well, there you go. Probably only 1 in 10 'top' college free agents live up to their billing (actually, that might be generous), but that's okay. It's frankly worth it even if he becomes an AHL star, really.

Just in case anyone wasn't fully aware yet, he actually is going to WBS on an ATO.

http://blogs.citizensvoice.com/penguins/index.php/2017/03/14/penguins-sign-forward-zach-aston-reese/

The contract will begin with the 2017-18 season and run through 2018-19. In the meantime, Aston-Reese will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of this season.

 

[MayorofWBS]

So vecchione is one of the other ones to keep in mind, right?

Yes, and Daniel Brickley if he decides to go pro. Brickley's a LHD with decent size 6-3, 205. I'll take a free defenseman and hope he works out.

2015-16 Minnesota State Univ. Mankato NCAA 36 2 9 11 20 9 |
2016-17 Minnesota State Univ. Mankato NCAA 31 8 23 31 20 9

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=216251

 

[djt153]

if you're an udfa and you see sheary on crosbys wing it has to make you think pittsburgh is awfully appealing. glad for a free prospect.

 

[spcastlemagic]

There can't be many teams with more Americans and more college players than the Pens. I'd have to think these guys seeing what Sheary and Rust and Guentzel and Dumoulin are doing makes an impact on the decision-making process.

Sheary is on the verge of turning himself into a millionaire many times over, so I hope it helps!!

 

[66-30-33]

Cool.

 

[shureshot66]

There can't be many teams with more Americans and more college players than the Pens. I'd have to think these guys seeing what Sheary and Rust and Guentzel and Dumoulin are doing makes an impact on the decision-making process.

if you're an udfa and you see sheary on crosbys wing it has to make you think pittsburgh is awfully appealing. glad for a free prospect.

Yup. And these players are noticing.

 

[AgentM]

Yup. And these players are noticing.

Always great news that we pulled in a free asset, especially a highly sought after one like this kid.

And I love this quote from him, hopefully he's not the only one that has taken notice and this reputation helps land us some more talent. Maybe even from Europe/Russia in the future

 

[ncm7772]

"Free stuff!" LMAO I dig that term.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I actually think he's a pretty similar player to Kuhnhackl already at this point, in terms of both play style and current level. I'm pretty curious to see how he does in the AHL, I think him and Bjorkqvist are wild card prospects who could make an impact sooner than later.

 

[SEALBound]

Yup. And these players are noticing.

Smart guy!

 

[clefty]

Yes, and Daniel Brickley if he decides to go pro. Brickley's a LHD with decent size 6-3, 205. I'll take a free defenseman and hope he works out.

2015-16 Minnesota State Univ. Mankato NCAA 36 2 9 11 20 9 |
2016-17 Minnesota State Univ. Mankato NCAA 31 8 23 31 20 9

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=216251

Brickley's confirmed to be not signing.

 

[66-30-33]

I actually think he's a pretty similar player to Kuhnhackl already at this point, in terms of both play style and current level. I'm pretty curious to see how he does in the AHL, I think him and Bjorkqvist are wild card prospects who could make an impact sooner than later.

But will he be a huge time shot blocker in the playoffs like Kuhn? don't want him if he doesn't...jk!

 

[TNT87]

Very nice to hear.

 

[Daeni10]

But will he be a huge time shot blocker in the playoffs like Kuhn? don't want him if he doesn't...jk!

You making fun of my boi Kuhn?

Glad he signed with the Pens, lets see what we get