AUSTIN WATSON NEWS

Heading back to AHL Watson was assigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Thursday.

Impact Watson was recalled by the Red Wings on Wednesday to fill in for Vladimir Tarasenko (illness) against Winnipeg. Watson tallied four hits and a shot on goal while logging 9:06 of ice time, but he should have more consistent opportunities to contribute in the AHL.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Red Wings recall Austin Watson from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions | Detroit Red Wings Forward has skated in 516 NHL Games with Nashville, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Detroit since 2012-13

OCTOBER 30 • NHL.COM

Up from minors Watson was recalled by the Red Wings on Wednesday.

Impact Watson has six assists and 19 PIM in seven appearances with AHL Grand Rapids in 2024-25. He's a veteran of 516 career NHL regular-season outings, recording 60 goals, 118 points and 707 PIM. Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to be a game-time decision for Wednesday's tilt against Winnipeg due to the flu, so Watson might draw into the lineup in a bottom-six capacity if Tarasenko is unavailable.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Red Wings assign Austin Watson and Justin Holl to Grand Rapids | Detroit Red Wings Watson has skated in 516 games with Nashville, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Detroit since 2012-13; Holl has played in 325 Games with Toronto and De...

OCTOBER 15 • NHL.COM

Headed to AHL Watson was assigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

Impact Watson being returned to the minors is likely an indication that Christian Fischer (upper body) is nearing a return. Watson registered two hits and two PIM in 4:54 of ice time in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Rangers.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Red Wings recall Austin Watson from grand rapids | Detroit Red Wings Detroit assigns Ville Husso to Griffins

OCTOBER 14 • NHL.COM

Set to play Monday Watson will be in action versus the Rangers on Monday once he's officially recalled from AHL Grand Rapids, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports

Impact Watson figures to jump into a bottom-six role while Christian Fischer (upper body) is sidelined. In two minor-league games for the Griffins this year, the veteran Watson has generated three assists, seven PIM and a plus-3 rating. Once Fischer is given the all-clear, Watson will almost certainly be returned to the minors.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Red Wings assign Austin Watson to Grand Rapids | Detroit Red Wings Forward has skated in 515 NHL games with Nashville, Ottawa and Tampa Bay since 2012-13

OCTOBER 8 • NHL.COM

HockeyBuzz.com - Jeremy Laura - Detroit Red Wings sign Austin Watson After successful PTO, place on waivers NHL Hockey Trade Rumors

OCTOBER 7 • HOCKEYBUZZ.COM

Placed on waivers Watson was placed on waivers by the Red Wings on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Watson signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Red Wings on Monday, but he'll be waived with the intention of assignment to AHL Grand Rapids if he goes unclaimed. However, the 32-year-old has made at least 33 regular-season NHL appearances in each of the last nine seasons, and he's a strong candidate to be called up if the Red Wings need additional depth at some point.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Red Wings sign Austin Watson to one-year contract | Detroit Red Wings Forward has skated in 515 NHL games with Nashville, Ottawa and Tampa Bay since 2012-13

OCTOBER 7 • NHL.COM

HockeyBuzz.com - Jeremy Laura - Detroit Red Wings sign Austin Watson After successful PTO NHL Hockey Trade Rumors

OCTOBER 7 • HOCKEYBUZZ.COM

Lands two-way contract Watson signed a one-year, two-way contract with Detroit on Monday.

Impact Watson attended Detroit's training camp on a professional tryout before earning his two-way agreement. He produced two goals, two assists, 93 PIM and 85 hits across 33 regular-season contests with Tampa Bay in 2023-24. Watson will serve as a depth forward for the Red Wings, but he might carve out a role on the fourth line as the season progresses.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

OTT@DET: Forsberg with a great save against Austin Watson | Ottawa Senators OTT@DET: Forsberg with a great save against Austin Watson

OCTOBER 5 • NHL.COM

Austin Watson Media Availability | Oct. 2, 2024 | Detroit Red Wings Austin Watson Media Availability | Oct. 2, 2024

OCTOBER 2 • NHL.COM

Receives tryout offer from Detroit Watson signed a professional tryout agreement with the Red Wings on Wednesday, per his agency.

Impact Watson will enter training camp on a tryout for a second year in a row. Last season, he turned his tryout into a one-year deal with the Lightning and proceeded to post just four points, along with 85 hits and 93 PIM, in 33 regular-season games. He'll likely have to settle for a fourth-line role if the Red Wings end up offering him a full deal.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Free agency looms Watson will be a free agent this offseason.

Impact Watson played in just 33 games this season, scoring two goals and adding two assists. He did put up 93 PIM and 85 hits, but mustered only 17 shots while averaging 7:16. Watson didn't ink his one-year deal with the Bolts until October, and that doesn't bode well for 2024-25 given his performance. Over his career, he has played in 515 regular-season games and recorded 60 goals, 58 assists, 705 PIM and 1,209 hits.

APRIL 30 • ROTOWIRE

Struggling to get out of press box Watson has played in just two of Tampa Bay's last 17 games.

Impact Watson came back from injury Feb. 8 and had one shot and three hits in 8:29 against the Isles. But since then, he dressed against the Panthers and Flyers, averaging less than nine minutes a night. Watson earned a role with the Bolts after coming to camp on a PTO and received a significant fine for unsportsmanlike behaviour in a game against the Preds in early Dec. But since his return from injury, Watson has struggled to find his way into the lineup. With the Bolts playing to retain a wild card spot, he may be hard-pressed to see the game from ice level in the next weeks.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Taken off IR Watson (lower body) has been activated off injured reserve, per the NHL media site.

Impact Watson has missed the team's last four contests due to his lower-body issue but seems to be at least healthy enough to be an option versus the Islanders on Thursday. If the 32-year-old winger does suit up, it would likely be in a bottom-six role that would see Mitchell Chaffee relegated to the press box or even shipped back to the minors.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to injured reserve Watson (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Watson was deemed week-to-week as of Tuesday, so his placement on IR makes sense. It's unlikely he'll be back before the All-Star break. Mitchell Chaffee was called up from AHL Syracuse to take Watson's spot on the roster.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Add forward Austin Watson to list of Lightning's injury woes The bottom-six forward is already considered week-to-week, joining a growing group of players who won’t return until after the All-Star brea...

JANUARY 24 • TAMPABAY.COM

Considered week-to-week Watson (lower body) is considered week-to-week, per Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida.

Impact As a result, Watson probably won't be available to return before the All-Star break. He has two goals, one assist, 69 PIM and 61 hits in 26 outings this season. Tampa Bay chose to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen in Tuesday's contest against Philadelphia.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched all too often Watson has been a healthy scratch in six of the Lightning's last eight games.

Impact Watson has played just 17 games this season, and he has one goal to show for the season. He does have 45 hits in that span, though, and he sometimes lays out four or five, or more in the games he does play. But that's not enough to make him roster worthy.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Piles up penalty minutes Watson went scoreless in Friday's 8-2 win against the Hurricanes.

Impact Watson didn't score any points, but he was very busy. He ended up with a slashing call, a game misconduct for abuse of officials in the second period, and he had another roughing call and game misconduct in the third period. Watson ended up with 26 penalty minutes, and that's his biggest contribution for fantasy managers.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Still no points this season Watson played 6:46 Saturday in a 6-4 win over the Oilers, but remains without a point this season.

Impact He did get seven PIM, including a major for fighting. Watson is struggling to get meaningful ice in Tampa Bay. He has skated in just seven of the team's 18 games, and his time has ranged from a high of 8:55 and a low of 3:30. Watson is on the downside of his NHL career.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE