With Robby Fabbri set to miss tonight’s game against Tampa Bay, the Red Wings needed to bring up a forward. They’ve decided that forward will be Zach Aston-Reese as the team announced that the winger has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids.
The 29-year-old was able to turn a PTO into a guaranteed deal last season with Toronto, a move that worked out relatively well for him. Aston-Reese set career highs in games played (77) and goals (10) in 2022-23 while recording 163 hits in what was predominantly a fourth line role. He also suited up in six playoff contests, picking up a goal along with 16 more hits despite averaging less than nine minutes a night.
However, Aston-Reese once again had to go the PTO route for this season, getting one with Carolina a month ago today. It wasn’t successful and he was cut earlier this month although he was able to rebound quickly, inking a two-way deal with Detroit last Sunday. That move coincided with a waiver placement where he passed through unclaimed, resulting in him suiting up for the Griffins in their opener last night.
While Aston-Reese’s recall gives Detroit a dozen healthy forwards on the roster, don’t expect that to automatically mean that Aston-Reese will play tonight. Instead, it appears as if they’ll go with seven defensemen, allowing Olli Maatta to make his season debut. Fabbri, meanwhile, is listed as day-to-day and hasn’t been ruled out for Monday’s contest against Columbus.
Kind of surprised they didn’t bring up Berggren.
Big wings fans here…..I guess the reasoning is to keep Reese as standard call up guy because he is likely to be a healthy scratch or will only get low minutes. That’s the reason they decided to drop Bergers down there in the first place. I hear they are waiting for a key player injury so he can get solid minutes over a period of time. Untill then they are going to keep him in the AHL with more playing time so he stays sharp. I hope he earns a full time spot soon.