Zach Aston-Reese and Tanner Pearson are in the middle of an epic battle. They're fighting for their NHL careers, hoping to crack the Vegas Golden Knights's opening night roster. They're using everything they have, including their bodies and their shots. It's a war that'll wage on until October when the season starts, leaving the fans in suspense.
On one hand, you have Pearson, the former first-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Kings. He has a proven offensive pedigree with two seasons of 20+ goals (2016-17 and 2019-20). The former Vancouver Canuck can also run alongside any player, acting as the ideal complementary piece for a bottom-six line. Can he turn his PTO into a roster spot? Stay tuned.
On the other, you have Aston-Reese, who's not as offensively proficient as Pearson. However, he's a good forechecking player, taking his opponents out of the play with hard checks. He's the type of player Bruce Cassidy needs defensively, for he carries reasonable size (6'1" and 205 lbs.). The forward could work well with Keegan Kolesar and Brett Howden, making the fourth line a tough line defensively.
Let's look at the latter and see what the 2024-25 season holds for him. Let's assume the former Pittsburgh Penguins player nabs the final spot from Pearson and Brendan Brisson isn't ready for the NHL level yet. What does the new hockey year hold for the forward? How will he fare in Bruce Cassidy's system if he does get the final spot? Let's dive into what the future holds for Aston-Reese and predict the upcoming regular season.
How Zach Aston-Reese fits into Bruce Cassidy's system
Bruce Cassidy's defensive system consists of numerous layers. One is the lane-clogging element where each player must take away shooting and passing lanes. That means following the puck and moving accordingly. Defensemen and forwards must work together to give the goaltender open looks, making life easier for the netminder. The other component is the physical part, which is what Zach Aston-Reese does best.
He uses his frame to act as an agitator for opponents, delivering punishing hits. In fact, he has 821 career hits to his name, making him an ample adversary. The former Pittsburgh Penguins star can also move up and down the ice, keeping up with the play as it unfolds. Yes, Aston-Reese won't score as much as Tanner Pearson could. However, he makes up for that with his defensive prowess, where he can create turnovers and win puck battles.
The one issue with Aston-Reese is his style can lead to injuries. It's nice coming in like a wrecking ball and hitting opponents. However, that wears the body down, leading to further complications. That could happen to the forward this season, leaving him out of commission for some time. Given the Vegas Golden Knights haven't avoided injuries too much, having another injured body doesn't help the cause.
Predicting the 2024-25 season for Aston-Reese with the Vegas Golden Knights
Let's get one thing straight: Zach Aston-Reese won't score many goals. In fact, he'll likely score fewer goals than Brett Howden if he grabs the final fourth line spot. Let's say he'll play 55 games and score four goals and five assists. These should suffice for a forechecking player should he make the initial 12-forward group for the Vegas Golden Knights.
As for the defensive numbers? He should compile 140 hits during the season, giving the Golden Knights more bite on the fourth line. The Staten Island native should also block 36 shots and have 19 takeaways, making him a key contributor for the forecheck. Again, he won't contribute to the offensive attack the same way Tanner Pearson will. However, these numbers should satisfy Bruce Cassidy, especially if Aston-Reese sticks to his hard-hitting ways.
The battle for the final fourth line spot will be exciting to watch. The Golden Knights have numerous options for Cassidy, creating more suspense for fans. If Aston-Reese grabs the final spot, they should expect a chaotic style that could benefit Vegas defensively. That's all fans ask for as they head into the new hockey year.