Update: Zach Aston-Reese re-signed with the Penguins shortly after the hearings were announced. More on that here.
With arbitration hearings for teams and players who elected them set to begin on Aug. 11, the NHLPA on Thursday announced the full schedule of hearings.
Zach Aston-Reese's arbitration hearing with the Penguins is one of the last days on the schedule, set for Aug. 23.
Ron Hextall said last week that the Penguins hope to get a deal done with Aston-Reese before his arbitration hearing.
Salary arbitration is a way for players and teams to settle contract disputes. An arbitrator listens to the case from both the player and team and sets the player's salary.
Because Aston-Reese turns 27 later this month and therefore in his final year of restricted free agency, he's only entitled to a one-year contract if it does go to arbitration. Since this is a player-elected arbitration case, the Penguins would only be allowed to walk away from the ruling and make Aston-Reese an unrestricted free agent if the settlement is in excess of $4,538,958. Since Aston-Reese's settlement wouldn't be that high, any ruling from the arbitrator will be binding for next season.
Aston-Reese was last a restricted free agent in 2019, and he elected arbitration that offseason, but reached an agreement with the Penguins shortly before the hearing was set to begin.
