12 Zach Aston-Reese C

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.

Aston-Reese posted a pair of assists with one hit in a 5-2 victory over the Oilers on Friday.

The two helpers ended a nine-game scoreless streak for Aston-Reese. While he didn't appear on the scoresheet, Aston-Reese still turned in a few strong offensive games during that dry spell. He posted three games with four shots on net during the nine-game scoreless streak. Aston-Reese has four goals and nine points with a plus-3 rating and 18 PIM in 35 games this season.

Aston-Reese (illness) had two shots on goal and three hits in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Blues.

Aston-Reese did not practice on Tuesday because of his illness but he was healthy enough to be in the lineup Wednesday. While he didn't hit the scoresheet, Aston-Reese managed to take his regular shift, including a significant role on the penalty kill. The 25-year-old has four goals and seven points in 28 games.

Aston-Reese (illness) is in the projected lineup for Wednesday's game against St. Louis, NHL.com's Wes Crosby reports.

Aston-Reese missed Tuesday's practice due to an illness, but whatever held him out of that session evidently isn't serious enough to keep him out of Wednesday's contest. The 25-year-old will occupy his usual fourth-line role against the Blues.

Aston-Reese is dealing with an illness ahead of Wednesday's game against the Blues, Sam Kasan of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

The Penguins are dealing with multiple injuries up front, so if Aston-Reese is unable to go against St. Louis, they'll likely need to promote someone from the minors. Another update on the 25-year-old American should surface following Wednesday's morning skate.

Aston-Reese ended a six-game goal drought with his tally against the Flyers on Tuesday.

During his six-game slump, Aston-Reese hit a pair of posts on near misses, but was finally able to get one into the netting by tipping a shot from the point past Brian Elliott. The Staten Island native has benefitted from the Penguins' forward injuries, playing in all 13 games to start the year, but could find himself relegated to the press box once Evgeni Malkin (lower body) is cleared to return. The decision on the file spot in the lineup for coach Mike Sullivan will likely come down to Aston-Reese or Dominik Kahun.

Aston-Reese scored two goals on five shots and added an assist with four blocks and a plus-3 rating in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Jets.

Aston-Reese got the Penguins on the board with an even-strength goal in the first period, then rounded out the scoring with a short-handed breakaway goal late in the third period. He also drew an assist earlier in the third period. It was the second career three-point game for Aston-Reese, who now has four points and is a plus-5 in his last two games after being held without a point and going minus-3 in his first four outings.

Aston-Reese agreed to terms on a two-year, $2 million contract with Pittsburgh on Monday.

Aston-Reese did have his arbitration hearing with the league Monday, but it appears that after that meeting, the two-sides were able to reach an agreement. The natural center's deal is one-way in nature, which all but ensures he won't have to spend any time in the minors. Heading into the 2019-20 campaign, the Staten Island native will need to beat out Dominik Simon for a spot in the lineup Opening Night versus Buffalo on Oct. 3.

Aston-Reese and the Penguins met with a salary arbitrator Monday after failing to come to terms on a contract, Dave Molinari of DK on Pittsburgh Sports reports.

While the two sides can still find a middle ground prior to the arbitrator's ruling, it seems unlikely the two sides are going to be able to find a match. While no official terms have been released, it wouldn't come as a surprise to see the organization asking for a two-way deal, while the winger is looking for a one-way contract. The additions of Brandon Tanev and Dominik Kahun have likely forced Aston-Reese into a position battle with Dominik Simon for the final spot in the lineup.

Aston-Reese filed for salary arbitration Friday.

Aston-Reese had the best season of his two-year NHL career in 2018-19, setting career highs in goals (eight), assists (nine), points (17), shots on goal (76) and hits (138). The New York native also saw the ice an average of 2:16 more than he did in 2017-18. It's understandable that the Pens would want to keep Aston-Reese around, and therefore the negotiations on a new salary for the upcoming season should likely be done before the arbitration hearings.