Red Wings Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion Forward

The Detroit Red Wings have signed veteran forward Austin Watson to a professional tryout contract (PTO) for the 2024–25 NHL season, as WD Sports & Entertainment agency announced on August 28 .

The 32-year-old forward, who hails from Michigan, will look to secure a spot on his hometown team after spending last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nothing is guaranteed, however, and he will need to earn the right to join the NHL roster during the preseason.

Watson was an original No. 18 pick by the Nashville Predators, joining the NHL in the 2010 NHL draft. Throughout the end of the 2023-24 season, Watson has played 515 games for the Predators, the Ottawa Senators, and the Lightning. The veteran forward has racked up 60 goals, 118 points, and 705 penalty minutes.

Last season, Watson appeared in 33 games for the Lightning, recording four points and 93 penalty minutes. Prior to that, he spent three seasons with the Ottawa Senators, mostly getting bottom-six minutes.

In the 2022–23 season, he played 75 games, scoring nine goals and adding 11 points, the most games he had played in a single season since 2017–18.

Following the signing of Watson, the Red Wings have 20 of 23 players under contract in their active roster entering the 2024-25 regular season, according to PuckPedia .

The franchise still has $17.6 million in cap space, which should be more than enough to sign Watson and fill the remaining three open slots.

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