The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Austin Watson to a one-year contract worth $776,665. In August they had signed him to a professional tryout contract. Watson played the 2022-23 season with the Ottawa Senators, scoring nine goals and 11 points in 75 games, along with 123 penalty minutes.
The Lightning find themselves right up against the salary cap, as per usual. Through the use of LTIR space they were able to cobble together just enough cap space to give Watson a league minimum contract. The most they were able to give him was $1,665 above the minimum salary.
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 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.
The Senators utilized him on the fourth line this past season in a primarily penalty killing role. He had a big impact on the Sens’ PK which ranked 14th in the NHL in 2022-23. After the Lightning traded Corey Perry to the Chicago Blackhawks prior to free agency, they had to replace his physicality from another source. While it is unlikely that Watson will have nearly as big of an offensive impact as Perry had in Tampa, he can be relied upon to deliver a physical touch every night.
Watson has played 482 games in the NHL with the Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators. He scored 58 goals and 114 points along with 612 penalty minutes.
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