Zach Aston-Reese staying with Penguins on one-year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins held onto one of their own for at least one more season on Thursday. 

Per the Penguins' website, the club has re-signed forward Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year contract that carries an average annual value of $1.725 million. The 26-year-old first joined the organization as an undrafted free agent in March 2017 and has only played for the Penguins since. 

He recorded nine goals, six assists, and a plus-10 rating across 45 regular-season games in 2020-21. 

"Zach is a versatile forward that brings energy and edge to our lineup," Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said for the prepared statement. "He is a responsible, two-way player and we're glad we were able to re-sign him." 

In total, Aston-Reese has tallied 27 goals and 24 assists with a plus-30 rating in 161 career regular-season NHL contests. 

Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review explained that the Penguins were able to avoid an arbitration hearing set for Aug. 23 via the deal announced Thursday. Aston-Reese could, however, hit free agency next summer if the Penguins don't lock him down on an extension beforehand.