Detroit Red Wings sign Austin Watson to professional tryout contract

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Austin Watson to a professional tryout contract (PTO) for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan native, spent the 2023-24 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning where he racked up two goals and two assists for four points in 33 games and added 93 penalty minutes.

Watson has been on a couple of PTOs since leaving the Ottawa Senators following the 2022-23 season after his three-year $4.5 million contract ended. Watson was a mainstay on the Senators’ bottom-six. He scored nine goals and 11 points in 75 games in 2022-23, which was the most games he played in a single season since 2017-18.

At 32-years-old, Watson still has a fair amount left in the tank and could help the Red Wings become a tougher team. He’s also a great guy in the locker room and an inspiration wherever he goes due to his public battle against alcoholism and mental health. The Red Wings know what they’re getting, Watson is a ferocious competitor.

Watson was originally an 18th overall pick by the Nashville Predators in the 2010 NHL Draft. He was a point-per-game player in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes and London Knights and showed tenacity and strength in his game. While he never turned into a top-six player, he has been able to carve out a role as a strong penalty killer and all-around tough guy.

Watson has played 515 games in the NHL with the Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning. He has tallied 60 goals and 118 points along with 705 penalty minutes.