46 Zach Aston-Reese LW

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.

Aston-Reese was tendered a qualifying offer from Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Taylor Haase of DK on Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Aston-Reese is coming off a career year, in which he set personal bests in games played (43), goals (eight), assists (nine) and shots (76), so it's not surprising to see the Penguins move to retain his rights. The 24-year-old's spot in the lineup remains tenuous at best -- though he should make the 23-man roster Opening Night -- following the acquisition of Dominik Kahun from Chicago.

Aston-Reese (upper body) will take part in Wednesday's Game 1 against the Islanders, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Aston-Reese will flank Matt Cullen and Garrett Wilson on the Pens' bottom line for the playoff opener. The second-year forward compiled 17 points -- eight goals and nine assists -- while posting a 10.5 shooting percentage in 2018-19, good enough to earn his inclusion on the postseason roster. While his involvement may be limited a bit more in the playoffs, Aston-Reese could still be utilized as a lineup filler in daily contests.

Aston-Reese (upper body) will be a game-time call for Game 1 versus the Islanders on Wednesday, Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

If Aston-Reese is cleared to play Wednesday, he almost certainly won't get the benefit of hopping back onto Sidney Crosby's line, which will minimize his fantasy value. More likely, the natural center will slot into Garrett Wilson's spot on the fourth line, along with seeing time on the penalty kill.

Aston-Reese (upper body) ditched the non-contract jersey for Monday's practice session, Jonathan Bombulie of TribLive.com reports.

Aston-Reese has been out of action since Mar. 10 versus the Bruins, a stretch of 13 games on the shelf. Once cleared to play, the Staten Island native will likely bounce Garrett Wilson from the lineup and slot into a fourth-line role, though he could find himself watching from the press box as a healthy scratch as well.

Aston-Reese (upper body) took part in morning skates Sunday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

It was the first time Aston-Reese resumed skating since suffering his injury March 10. The Northeastern University product has 17 points in 43 games while battling multiple long-term injuries.

Aston-Reese (upper body) continues to be limited to off-ice activities, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Aston-Reese was expected to be out long term, so the fact that he is still not skating shouldn't come as a huge surprise. The emergence of Teddy Blueger could make it difficult for Aston-Reese to work his way back into the lineup even once cleared to play. At this point, the center is likely done for the regular season and won't be an option until the playoffs.

Aston-Reese is expected to be out long-term due to his lower-body injury, but won't require surgery and could return before the end of the regular season, Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

Aston-Reese is facing his second extended stint on the shelf, after having previously missed 13 games from mid-January to mid-February. With the youngster unavailable, along with Bryan Rust (lower body), Teddy Blueger is getting an opportunity to play on the left side of Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Once cleared to play, Aston-Reese should retake a spot in the lineup, but may have to settle for a fourth-line role depending on how well Blueger performs. At this point, fantasy owners should consider the 24-year-old week-to-week.

Aston-Reese (lower body) is considered day-to-day but will miss Tuesday's matchup with Washington, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

Aston-Reese was playing well alongside Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, as he managed six points in his previous 13 games prior to getting hurt. Aston-Reese's spot on the second line will go to Teddy Blueger, while recent call-up Joe Blandisi slots into a fourth-line role.

Aston-Reese picked up a lower-body injury in the second period of Sunday's 4-2 win over the Bruins.

Sullivan didn't have any further information about the injury, saying the winger was still being evaluated. Aston-Reese did manage to dish out three hits before getting injured.

Aston-Reese scored his eighth goal of the season in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets.

The 24-year-old ended a four-game point drought with the tally. Aston-Reese isn't yet a consistent contributor for the Penguins, but his 18 goals and 46 points in 62 career AHL games illustrate why the club will continue giving him chances to click.

Aston-Reese notched an assist in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over Columbus.

Aston-Reese is thriving in his second-line assignment alongside Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, as he registered five points in his previous five outings. The New York native isn't afraid of putting pucks on net (15 shots on goal) and adds another level of physicality to his line with 18 hits over that same five-game stretch. As long as he remains on the left side of Pittsburgh's world-class talents, Aston-Reese should provide top-end fantasy value.

Aston-Reese scored the Penguins' first goal in a 4-3 win over the Devils on Tuesday.

Aston-Reese found himself on the ice with Sidney Crosby and made the most of a pass from the all-world center. Aston-Reese is up to 14 points in 34 games, but his real value comes from physicality. He had two hits and three shots on goal while skating 17:17 in Tuesday's match, bringing him up to 112 hits and 60 shots this season. He may be worth a look in deeper formats.