The Philadelphia Flyers officially bolstered their depth by signing forward Zach Aston-Reese to a two-year, $1.75 million contract. The deal carries an average annual value of $875,000. This move is part of a broader roster adjustment for the organization, which also secured forward Noel Acciari and forward Carl Grundstrom to multi-year and one-year deals, respectively.
Terms of the Philadelphia Flyers’ Recent Signings
The Flyers have committed a significant amount in new contract value across three primary forward signings. According to official team records, the financial breakdown for these acquisitions is as follows:
- Zach Aston-Reese: A two-year contract worth $1.75 million, with an $875,000 cap hit.
- Noel Acciari: A two-year agreement valued at $5.6 million.
- Carl Grundstrom: A one-year deal worth $1 million.
In addition to these three attackers, the organization has also reached agreements with forwards Jack Studnicka and Danila Klimovich, as well as defenseman Cam Dineen, to further provide depth throughout the system.
Background on Zach Aston-Reese
Zach Aston-Reese, 31, joins the Philadelphia lineup after spending the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. During that campaign, he recorded five points—one goal and four assists—in 27 NHL appearances. He also logged time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Cleveland Monsters, appearing in 27 games.
Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 14, 2017, Aston-Reese has played 416 career regular-season games. His career path has included stints with the Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Blue Jackets, totaling 102 points (49 goals, 53 assists). He has also appeared in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games, contributing five points.
Experience and Contributions of Acciari and Grundstrom
The Flyers’ decision to sign Noel Acciari and Carl Grundstrom adds experience to their forward group. Acciari, 34, brings 585 games of regular-season experience. Last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he recorded 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 67 games. Since his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in 2015, he has accumulated 144 points and played in 71 postseason contests.
Carl Grundstrom, 28, recorded 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 47 games for the Flyers last season. Drafted 57th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016, Grundstrom has played 339 career games across stops with the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Flyers. He has tallied 89 points in his career and has appeared in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Roster Strategy and Next Steps
These signings reflect the Flyers’ emphasis on building their forward group. By securing players like Aston-Reese and Acciari, the team adds experience. With the addition of depth pieces like Studnicka, Klimovich, and Dineen, the front office has focused on internal competition as the team prepares for the upcoming training camp. These moves provide the coaching staff with multiple options.
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