12 Zach Aston-Reese C

Aston-Reese scored a goal on two shots and dished out a pair of hits in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Washington.

Aston-Reese ended Vitek Vanecek's bid for a shutout with just 4:55 left in the third period, burying a wrist shot as the trailer on an odd-man rush. It was his third consecutive game with a goal since returning from a shoulder injury, injecting Pittsburgh's bottom six with an additional dash of offense. The 26-year-old has needed only three games to get halfway to the six goals he totaled in 57 contests last season.

Aston-Reese scored an empty-net goal and added three shots with two hits in a 6-3 win over Washington on Sunday.

Aston-Reese fired a shot from inside his own blue line that found the open Washington cage, putting the Penguins up 5-3 with 63 seconds remaining. The 26-year-old has lit the lamp in each of his first two games since returning from a shoulder injury, totalling eight shots on goal in the process. Aston-Reese has limited offensive upside but forms a solid real-life third line alongside Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) scored a goal on five shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Islanders.

Aston-Reese made an immediate impact in his season debut after missing Pittsburgh's first 11 games, looking dangerous throughout and getting rewarded for his efforts with a goal in the second period. This was a strong performance, but don't expect efforts like this regularly from Aston-Reese, as the bottom-six winger has never scored more than 17 points in a season.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) will return to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Islanders.

Aston-Reese was activated off injured reserve earlier Thursday, but this news confirms he's officially returned to the lineup. The 26-year-old has yet to take the ice this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. Aston-Reese will man the third-line left wing spot with Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev for Thursday's contest.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) was taken off injured reserve Thursday but remains a game-time decision against the Islanders, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

All indications are that Aston-Reese will step into the third-line spot vacated by the injured Jared McCann (lower body), though final confirmation likely won't occur until closer to puck drop. It will be the first game of the season for Aston-Reese after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. Even with the missed game time, Aston-Reese could still manage 15-20 points and provide decent mid-range fantasy value.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) will accompany the Penguins for their three-game road trip, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

Once cleared to play, Aston-Reese figures to take a spot in the lineup, though where he fits in remains to be seen. A bottom-six role seems most likely, perhaps in place of Sam Lafferty or Drew O'Connor on the fourth line. Unless Bryan Rust or Kasperi Kapanen drops off significantly, Aston-Reese will be hard-pressed to secure a bigger role this year.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) was labeled day-to-day ahead of a clash with the Islanders on Saturday, per Pens Inside Scoop.

Aston-Reese has yet to get onto the ice this year after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. Considering the winger didn't take part in line rushes Thursday, it seems unlikely he will be in action Saturday, but the extended practice time for Pittsburgh following its postponed games with New Jersey could see Aston-Reese challenging for a spot in the lineup sooner rather than later.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) took part in Tuesday's practice session, Pens Inside Scoop reports.

Aston-Reese and the Penguins will have plenty of upcoming practice sessions after their next two games versus New Jersey on Tuesday and Thursday were postponed. Originally slated to be out of action until mid-February, it's certainly possible the extra time will afford the 26-year-old center the opportunity to get back to 100 percent. Before he can play, Aston-Reese will need to be activated off injured reserve and would likely bump Drew O'Connor or Sam Lafferty from the lineup.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) was designated for long-term injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 13, Mike DeFabo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Considering Aston-Reese was originally slated to be out until mid-February, his placement on LTIR won't affect his return date. Even if the Staten Island native is ahead of schedule, the earliest he could be activated would be Feb. 2 versus the Devils, which would be nearly two weeks early. Once healthy, Aston-Reese should challenge Drew O'Connor or Colton Sceviour for a spot in the lineup but is unlikely to see any minutes in the top six.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) was on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate in a non-contact jersey. Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters, "The fact that he's on the ice I think suggests that he's getting a whole lot closer. I can't give you a definitive date at this point because we don't have one."

It certainly seems Aston-Reese will be back on the ice ahead of his original mid-February timeframe. Whenever the winger is cleared to play, he will likely find himself filling a bottom-six role, though unseating Colton Sceviour or Teddy Blueger from the lineup could be a tall task.

Aston-Reese (shoulder) is on track for a mid-February return to action following shoulder surgery in August, per Pens Inside Scoop.

With Aston-Reese set to miss the first month of the campaign, he almost certainly will be placed on long-term injured reserve once the season begins. Even once cleared to play, the winger could struggle to break into the lineup on a nightly basis considering the team added a number of bottom-six forwards in the offseason. As such, Aston-Reese should be considered a low-end fantasy option in even deeper formats.

Aston-Reese underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder, the team announced Monday

Aston-Reese is facing a six-month absence, which would keep him out until mid-February. Based on his timeline, the New York native won't be ready for the start of 2020-21 and could miss a significant chunk of the season. Once the league year begins, the natural center should be a lock for long-term injured reserve. In 57 games this season, the 25-year-old notched six goals and seven helpers. Given his limited offensive upside, Aston-Reese should probably go undrafted in all but the deepest of season-long fantasy formats.

Aston-Reese had an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

Aston-Reese fired a shot from a Brandon Tanev pass, and the rebound allowed Teddy Blueger to score the Penguins' third goal of the game. Through three games in the series, Aston-Reese has the one helper, six shots and two PIM. The fourth-liner had 13 points and 136 hits in 57 contests during the regular season.

Aston-Reese (lower body) is healthy and available if the NHL season picks back up, Mike DeFabo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Aston-Reese had returned to full practice with the team prior to the league shutdown and likely would have been ready to go soon. With the extra time off, the Staten Island native figures to rejoin Brandon Tanev and Teddy Blueger on the Pens' fourth line. In 57 appearances this season, the 25-year-old Aston-Reese has notched six goals and seven helpers and could have pushed for the 20-point mark this year.

Aston-Reese (lower body) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Aston-Reese was previously just solo skating, so his participation in practice Wednesday marks a significant step toward a return to action. More information on his status should surface when the coaching staff is comfortable re-inserting him into the lineup.

Aston-Reese (lower body) skated prior to Wednesday's practice session.

Aston-Reese hasn't been cleared to join the team for practice, which likely means he won't be back in the lineup for the Penguins' upcoming three games. Even once cleared to play, the Staten Island native is far from a lock for the lineup given Pittsburgh's trade deadline additions.

Aston-Reese is week-to-week due to the lower-body injury he suffered against Detroit on Sunday.

While primarily being utilized in a defensive-minded role, Aston-Reese did pick up two points in his last six games while averaging 13:01 of ice time. With the Staten Island native on the shelf, Patric Hornqvist figures to be bumped up to the third line while Dominik Kahun (concussion) could return to the lineup versus Toronto on Tuesday. Given his recovery timeline, Aston-Reese will likely be placed on injured reserve soon.

Aston-Reese suffered a lower-body injury during Sunday's win over the Red Wings, Mike DeFabo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Aston-Reese finished with just 7:05 of ice time and didn't play at all in the third period. Head coach Mike Sullivan said he'll be evaluated, and there should be more information on his condition ahead of Tuesday's home matchup versus Toronto.

Aston-Reese recorded an assist in Sunday's 4-3 win over Washington.

While Aston-Reese was able to end a 10-game pointless streak, he is still goalless in his last 11 contests. The New York native needs just five more points to match the career high he set last year (17) and should have plenty of opportunities to get on the scoresheet.

Aston-Reese recorded one hit in 14:09 of ice time in Tuesday's clash with the Golden Knights.

Aston-Reese failed to register a point while linemates Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev both got in on the action in Tuesday's 4-3 win. The Staten Island native should continue to fill a bottom-six role for the Pens, especially once Sidney Crosby (groin) returns to the lineup and coach Mike Sullivan shuffles up lines.