Since taking over the Penguins’ helm in June, new POHO/GM Kyle Dubas has left few stones unturned in his quest for fresh talent.
Indeed, no fewer than eight new forwards, including recent PTO invitees Austin Wagner and Colin White, figure to be in the hunt for bottom-six roles.
However, I confess there’s one omission that’s baffled me.
Former Pen Zach Aston-Reese.
Following five mostly solid seasons in a supporting role in the ‘Burgh and what amounted to a cup of coffee with the Ducks, the defensive-minded forward became a UFA last summer. There were no takers until Dubas stepped up and offered ZAR an invite to the Maple Leafs camp on a PTO.
The former Hobey Baker finalist seized the opportunity and played his way onto the Leafs’ roster on a one-year deal. For a modest $840 K, ZAR enjoyed arguably his finest season, potting a career-best 10 goals to go with a decent 11.2 shooting percentage and 163 hits. Although they dipped slightly, his defensive impacts…his bread-and-butter…remained strong.
By all accounts, a good guy and a great teammate, too.
Given his strengths (grit, versatility, shut-down ability), not to mention his connection to Dubas and the team, I’m more than a little surprised the Pens didn’t invite Zach to camp on a PTO.
Could it be a case of been there, done that?
Maybe.
I’m just surmising, but a couple of reasons pop into my head. During his last season here (2021-22) ZAR’s offensive contributions dried up to the tune of a paltry two goals in 52 games and an anemic 3.8 shooting percentage. Indeed, the scoring prowess he’d displayed while popping 31 goals in 38 games as a senior for Northeastern University seemed to have totally evaporated.
Reason number two?
Skating.
Although by no means a plow horse, ZAR doesn’t possess the extra gear Mike Sullivan craves. Players like Wagner and White do. The latter, in particular, has more of an offensive upside and he’s younger by three years to boot.
Still, for all his perceived deficiencies, Aston-Reese boasts a career 5v5 goals for percentage (GF%) of 54.2, despite a ridiculously low offensive-zone starts percentage. His expected goals-for percentage (xG%) has consistently graded out at over 50 percent, according to Natural Stat Trick. He’s good in the battle areas, too.
When all is said and done, I hope we haven’t overlooked an opportunity to add a solid, physical, affordable depth player to our mix.
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Hey all,
Just a quicky update. Aston-Reese agreed to a PTO with Carolina.
Personally, I like the direction the 'Canes are going in. They were difficult to play against to begin with, and they've added players like Michael Bunting, Tony D'Angelo, Brendan Lemieux and now ZAR.
Meanwhile, we continue to chase Mike Sullivan's speed-first-just-play-and-toughness-be-damned approach to roster construction.
It may (or may not) work during the regular season. But when games get "grindier" as they invariably do come playoff time? I think the 'Canes have the right approach.
Rick
Hey Rick,
The interesting thing about ZAR and many of our past 3rd and 4th liner players is how they found their offense on other teams. I am not a fan of ZAR per se, but the problem with depth scoring apparently isn't the players but the system (aka the Coach). If McDavid, McKinnon, Matthews, and Draisaitl would have trouble scoring if they played 3rd line for the Penguins. No one can score if they don't shoot the puck. No one can shoot the puck if they don't have the puck. And when the system is geared to forwards covering for wayward defensemen who are chasing the puck around their defensive zone or jumping up into the offensive zone, way to often getting caught on the extremely wrong side of the puck.
Also, from a speed stand point, when the players are bogged down by an overly complicated system, they are too busy thinking about where they have to be that they hesitate and are slowed to a crawl. At best, this team will still only be marginally faster, not enough to really matter. An overhaul of the system needs to take place and no one in the decision making process is can put their egos aside long enough to actually fix this team.
S.O.P.
Rick
I get the feeling from the teams newest additions that Dubas wanted to accomadate Mike
Sullivan with his type of player but while doing so he wanted to sever ties with any players
with ties to the Pens. Change was needed and he made those changes but with a different
crop of guys. IMO, we won't be seeing an Aston-Reese, or Simon anytime soon.
Hey Mike.
Re: severing ties, I think you're absolutely right. Our mix was so stale and bland last year, I think Dubas is trying to create a whole new energy and vibe. Whether that carries over onto the ice remains to be seen. But I give him an 'A' for effort.
Wagner is kind of a ZAR-type player. Not as good defensively (few are) but five years younger and faster. Maybe with more to prove.
Rick
Actually, Wagner's only three years younger than ZAR. I was referencing an old WAR chart.
Rick