Leafs reporter trying to temper Leafs fans' expectations regarding Zach Aston-Reese

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Ottawa Senators in a preseason double-header on Saturday, with a bevy of new Leafs making their preseason debuts with the team. One such player was Zach Aston-Reese, who has joined the Leafs for training camp on a professional tryout (PTO).

Aston-Reese played with Group 1, who took to the ice against the first Sens group on Saturday afternoon and he looked not only physically engaged, but he also helped generate some offense, putting up a nice screen in front of Cam Talbot, which helped Justin Holl find the back of the net. While Aston-Reese was not awarded with an assist, his work in front of the net led to the goal, which is valuable.

Leafs Nation seems all but sold on ZAR and appears to have welcomed him in with open arms following his preseason debut, but at least one reporter issued a gentle reminder to the fanbase that the Leafs are not really in the right financial position to be taking on additional contracts. In other words, if the Leafs want to sign Aston-Reese to an NHL contract, they'll first have to move one out.

The Buds also have the Rasmus Sandin situation to sort out still. The RFA defenseman has not yet inked a deal and is reportedly looking for in excess of $2M per season. With the Leafs currently sitting at $1.49M over the salary cap, they already have their work cut out for them.


One way to kill two birds with one stone would be to deal the final year of Alexander Kerfoot's deal, which carries a $3.5M cap hit. That would allow the Leafs to get back under the cap, leave them with a little over $2M with which to sign Sandin. Then, all they'd have to do is demote/waive someone to clear enough space for a league minimum deal for Aston-Reese. The problem is, the Leafs don't seem to be in any rush to move Kerfoot.

There are some big decisions for the club ahead.