Ex-Lightning Tough Guy Lands PTO With Red Wings

Former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Austin Watson has signed a professional tryout (PTO) agreement with the Detroit Red Wings.

Watson, 32, spent this past season with the Lightning, posting two goals, four points, 85 hits, 93 penalty minutes, and a plus-2 rating. Overall, the veteran winger was primarily a depth forward for Tampa Bay and provided them with some toughness and grit when inserted into the lineup.

 Now, the Ann Arbor, Michigan native will look to impress during his PTO and land a contract with the Red Wings.

In 515 career NHL games split between the Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, and Lightning, Watson has 60 goals, 118 points, and 705 penalty minutes. It will be interesting to see if he will get the opportunity to build on these career totals next season with the Red Wings from here.