Zachary Aston-Reese

Zach Aston-Reese getting waived by Columbus is only part of the story here, because the bigger thread is what he has turned into away from the NHL spotlight. He is a new dad, he is driving Cleveland’s playoff push, and he is doing it with the kind of joy that players only talk about when life and hockey finally line up. The Monsters run gives him a stage, but the larger arc is a reminder that careers in this league can change fast when confidence and timing click.

Zach Aston-Reese brought that blue-collar reliability to Columbus this season, sticking to the basics while others chased the spotlight. Coaches loved his no-frills approach in a year when the Jackets needed steady hands amid roster flux. As we break down his 2025-26 impact, one thing stands out: simplicity won games where flash failed.