Austin Watson has signed a professional tryout (PTO) agreement with the Detroit Red Wings, according to his agency. This marks the second consecutive year that Watson has entered training camp on a tryout basis. In the previous season, Watson secured a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after a successful tryout. However, his offensive production was limited, as he recorded just four points in 33 games. Despite this, Watson made his presence felt in other areas, accumulating 85 hits and 93 penalty minutes (PIM).
Heading into Detroit’s camp, Watson will likely need to showcase his physical play and willingness to contribute in a depth role, as he is expected to compete for a spot on the Red Wings’ fourth line. If he performs well during the tryout, the Red Wings may offer him a full contract, potentially adding him to their roster for the upcoming season. However, Watson’s role will likely be more focused on physicality and grit rather than offensive contributions, similar to his previous stints【7†source】.
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