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Austin Watson

Position Right Wing / Left Wing Current Team Detroit Red Wings
Shoots Right Current Contract 1 years
Height 6'4" Expires 2025-26
Weight (lbs) 203 Expiry Age (Jun 30) 34
Age 33 (Jan 13, 1992) Expiry Status UFA
Drafted 2010, Round 1, Overall 18 (NSH)
Date Team Transaction
Oct 2, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Cleared Waivers
Oct 1, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Placed on Waivers
Apr 17, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Assigned to AHL
Apr 8, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Recalled from AHL
Apr 3, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Assigned to AHL
Mar 21, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Recalled from AHL
Mar 5, 2025 Detroit Red Wings Signed 1 year @ $775K AAV starting in 2025-26
Oct 31, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Assigned to AHL
Oct 30, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Recalled from AHL
Oct 15, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Assigned to AHL
Oct 14, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Recalled from AHL
Oct 8, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Assigned to AHL
Oct 7, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Signed 1 year @ $775K AAV starting in 2024-25
Oct 7, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Cleared Waivers
Oct 6, 2024 Detroit Red Wings Placed on Waivers
Oct 9, 2022 Tampa Bay Lightning Signed 1 year @ $776K AAV starting in 2022-23
Oct 31, 2019 Nashville Predators Signed 3 years @ $1.500M AAV starting in 2020-21
Jul 24, 2017 Nashville Predators Signed 3 years @ $1.100M AAV starting in 2017-18
Jun 29, 2015 Nashville Predators Signed 2 years @ $575K AAV starting in 2015-16
Mar 30, 2011 Nashville Predators Signed to an entry level contract.
Status History Coming Soon

2024-25 Player Card



URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20242025/austin-watson-8475766.png

2023-24 Player Card



URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20232024/austin-watson-8475766.png

About Player Cards

Player cards present an infographic of a players performance. In this case it shows the player performance over a 3 season span. Each square is separated into three separate sub-boxes with the two smaller boxes on top representing the past two seasons and the larger box on the bottom representing the current or most recent season. This allows the reader to guage how consistent a player has been, and if early in the season it can help identify whether a players performance may be impacted by small sample size and subject to regression or is consistent with recent past performance.

Notes and Definitions
  • The numbers represent percentiles so the higher the better.
  • Percentiles are determined by comparing Forwards to Forwards and Defensemen to Defensemen.
  • Bursts/mi are calculated from NHL Edge Data are are speed bursts above 20mpg per mile skated. The NHL doesn't adjust for ice time so the players that skate more will naturally have more bursts over 20, or at least more opportunity to have more. The NHL also does not provide ice time in the context of NHL Edge Statistics, however, it does provide distance skated. By adjusting for distance skated it will have a similar effect to adjusting for ice time but also adjust for situationional effect. For example, Players don't typically skate as much on the PK, mostly within the defensive zone, so don't get significant opportunity in that ice time to get speed bursts above 20mph. Adjusting with miles skates would account for this better than adjusting with ice time.
  • Sh%AE is Shooting Percentage above Expected (Sh% - xSh%) and is an indicator of how good a shooter is at converting chances into goals.
  • Relative statistics are On Ice - Off Ice statistics and can be an indicator of whether the player makes his teammates better or worse.
  • All data is 5v5 except Shooting Hardest and Average, Skating Top Speed and Bursts/mi which are all situations, ES Average which is even strength (NHL doesn't give a specific definition).
Data Sources
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5v5 Individual Stats

Season Team(s) GP TOI G/60 A/60 Pts/60 xG/60 GAE/60 Sh% xSh% Sh%AE %SA Rush %SA Reb.
2015-16 NSH 57 510:04 0.24 0.71 0.94 0.56 -0.32 3.77 8.94 -5.17 8.82 5.88
2016-17 NSH 77 777:17 0.39 0.77 1.16 0.48 -0.09 5.95 7.37 -1.42 5.77 5.77
2017-18 NSH 76 731:26 0.74 0.25 0.98 0.61 0.13 11.11 9.16 1.95 2.63 3.51
2018-19 NSH 37 448:39 0.53 0.94 1.47 0.74 -0.21 6.78 9.43 -2.65 0.00 3.37
2019-20 NSH 53 533:26 0.67 0.45 1.12 0.51 0.17 13.04 9.85 3.20 4.48 4.48
2020-21 OTT 34 315:52 0.57 1.14 1.71 0.60 -0.03 9.38 9.87 -0.50 0.00 8.16
2021-22 OTT 67 688:17 0.52 0.35 0.87 0.58 -0.06 7.41 8.22 -0.82 1.82 7.27
2022-23 OTT 75 594:01 0.61 0.20 0.81 0.58 0.03 9.38 8.91 0.47 1.04 3.12
2023-24 TBL 33 231:46 0.52 0.52 1.04 0.37 0.15 12.50 8.89 3.61 0.00 0.00
2024-25 DET 13 96:12 1.87 0.00 1.87 0.65 1.22 23.08 7.99 15.08 0.00 5.56

5v5 On Ice Stats

Season Team(s) GP TOI SAF/60 GF/60 xGF/60 SAA/60 GA/60 xGA/60 GF% xGF% xGF Rel xGA Rel xGF% Rel
2015-16 NSH 57 510:04 31.41 1.65 1.67 33.41 2.35 1.70 41.18 49.56 -0.87 -0.34 -5.84
2016-17 NSH 77 777:17 34.04 1.85 1.77 38.67 1.31 2.10 58.54 45.75 -0.85 -0.25 -7.01
2017-18 NSH 76 731:26 37.24 1.72 1.94 39.21 2.38 2.27 42.00 46.09 -0.70 -0.19 -5.62
2018-19 NSH 37 448:39 38.25 2.54 2.17 40.92 1.87 2.46 57.58 46.86 -0.62 0.08 -7.13
2019-20 NSH 53 533:26 34.64 2.02 1.72 44.65 3.49 2.66 36.73 39.31 -1.03 0.28 -14.30
2020-21 OTT 34 315:52 42.36 2.85 2.31 45.78 4.37 2.63 39.47 46.80 -0.21 0.10 -3.14
2021-22 OTT 67 688:17 35.92 1.48 1.98 42.80 2.18 2.53 40.48 43.92 -0.50 -0.20 -3.70
2022-23 OTT 75 594:01 37.27 1.31 2.00 40.40 2.32 2.50 36.11 44.47 -0.82 -0.14 -7.25
2023-24 TBL 33 231:46 27.44 1.81 1.52 39.09 1.29 2.05 58.33 42.61 -1.08 -0.33 -9.67
2024-25 DET 13 96:12 37.42 3.12 1.95 37.42 1.87 2.71 62.50 41.91 -0.18 0.14 -3.55

NHL Edge Stats

Skating Shooting Zone Time
Season GP Top Speed Bursts>20/mi Avg. Speed ES Avg. Speed Top Speed Avg. Speed %Long Range %Mid Range %High Danger ES DZ% ES NZ% ES OZ%
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Legend

Percentile 0-25 Percentile 25-50 Percentile 50-75 Percentile 75-100
Forwards are compared with forwards and Defensemen are are compared with Defensemen.

5v5 Lines

Season
Season Teammate Teammate Team TOI GF/60 GA/60 GF% xGF/60 xGA/60 xGF% xGF Rel xGA Rel xGF% Rel
This table is for Basic and Premium subscribers only. To view please login to and/or subscribe to one of our subscription plans. 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2030-31 2031-32 2032-33 2033-34 2034-35

Glossary

Type Statistic Definition
IndividualG/60Goals Against per 60 minutes.
IndividualA/60Assists per 60 minutes.
IndividualPts/60Points per 60 minutes.
IndividualxG/60Expected Goals per 60 minutes.
IndividualGAE/60Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60).
IndividualSh%Shooting Percentage.
IndividualxSh%Expected Shooting Percentage.
IndividualSh%AEShooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%).
Individual%SA RushPercentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush.
Individual%SA Reb.Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds.
On IceSAF/60Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes.
On IceGF/60Goals For per 60 minutes.
On IcexGF/60Expected Goals For per 60 minutes.
On IceSAA/60Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IceGA/60Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IcexGA/60Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IceGF%Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against)
On IcexGF%Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against)
On IcexGF RelxGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice.
On IcexGA RelxGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better).
On IcexGF% RelxGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice.
Individual and On-Ice stats from Puckalytics.com (starting in 2015-16). NHL Edge Stats from edge.nhl.com (starting in 2021-22). Edge statistic definitions can be found at the Edge Stats Glossary.

News and Opinions

Current Contract

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2025-26 33 $775,000 $775,000 - - $775,000 $775,000 $375,000 UFA
Total - - $775,000 $775,000 $375,000
Signed: Mar 5, 2025
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 0.81
Note: Guaranteed minimum salary of $400,000.

Previous Contracts (show) (hide)

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2024-25 32 $775,000 $775,000 - - $775,000 $775,000 $225,000 UFA
Total - - $775,000 $775,000 $225,000
Signed: Oct 7, 2024
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 0.88
Note: Guaranteed minimum salary is $275,000.

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2022-23 30 $776,665 $776,665 - - $776,665 $776,665 $776,665 UFA
Total - - $776,665 $776,665 $776,665
Signed: Oct 9, 2022
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 0.94

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2020-21 28 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 - - $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 UFA
2021-22 29 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 - - $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 UFA
2022-23 30 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 - - $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 UFA
Total - - $4,500,000 $4,500,000 $4,500,000
Signed: Oct 31, 2019
Team: Nashville Predators
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 1.84

Standard Contract (RFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2017-18 25 $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - - $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 RFA-arb
2018-19 26 $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - - $1,100,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000 RFA-arb
2019-20 27 $1,100,000 $1,100,000 - - $1,200,000 $1,200,000 $1,200,000 UFA
Total - - $3,300,000 $3,300,000 $3,300,000
Signed: July 24, 2017
Team: Nashville Predators
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 1.47

Standard Contract (RFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2015-16 23 $575,000 $575,000 - - $575,000 $575,000 $100,000 RFA
2016-17 24 $575,000 $575,000 - - $575,000 $575,000 $575,000 RFA-arb
Total - - $1,150,000 $1,150,000 $675,000
Signed: June 29, 2015
Team: Nashville Predators
Exp. Status: RFA-arb
Cap %: 0.81

Entry Level Contract ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2010-11 18 $930,000 $1,171,667 - $90,000 - $90,000 - ELC
2011-12 19 $900,000 $1,141,667 $300,000 $90,000 $810,000 $900,000 $67,500 ELC
2012-13 20 $900,000 $1,141,667 $250,000 $90,000 $810,000 $900,000 $67,500 ELC
2013-14 21 $900,000 $1,141,667 $175,000 - $900,000 $900,000 $67,500 ELC
Total $725,000 $270,000 $2,520,000 $2,790,000 $202,500
Signed: Mar 30, 2011
Team: Nashville Predators
Exp. Status: RFA
Note: This entry level contract slid one season as player did not meet the games played threshold to start the contract.

Career Statistics

Regular Season Playoffs
Season League Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% TOI/G GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% TOI/G
2005-06 T1EMBHL Compuware Bantam Minor AAA 28 10 26 36 18
2006-07 T1EBHL Compuware Bantam Major AAA 29 24 38 62 55
2007-08 T1EHL U16 Compuware U16 31 12 28 40 36
2008-09 OHL Windsor 63 10 19 29 +15 41 20 3 3 +1 15
2008-09 M-Cup Windsor 5 1 1 -1 2
2009-10 OHL Windsor 42 11 23 34 +11 14
2009-10 WJ18-A USA 7 2 1 3 33
2009-10 OHL Peterborough 10 9 11 20 +5 8 4 2 2 -4 2
2010-11 OHL Peterborough 68 34 34 68 -38 54
2010-11 AHL Milwaukee 5 0 0 0 2 0.0 3
2011-12 OHL Peterborough 32 14 19 33 -1 33
2011-12 WJC-A USA 6 3 6 9 +6
2011-12 OHL London 29 11 24 35 +3 14 19 10 7 17 +10 10
2011-12 M-Cup London 4 2 3 5 13 1,538.0
2012-13 NHL Nashville Predators 6 1 0 1 -2 4 25.0 12:42
2012-13 AHL Milwaukee 72 20 17 37 +4 22 163 1,227.0 4 1 1 10 1,000.0
2013-14 AHL Milwaukee 76 22 24 46 +4 24 192 1,150.0 3 -3 6 8 0.0
2014-15 AHL Milwaukee 76 26 18 44 -2 34 159 1,640.0
2015-16 NHL Nashville Predators 57 3 7 10 -4 32 55 5.4 10:00
2016-17 AHL Milwaukee Admirals 3 1 0 1 +1 9
2016-17 NHL Nashville Predators 77 5 12 17 +14 99 90 5.6 12:26 22 4 5 9 +3 28 28 14.3 13:40
2017-18 NHL Nashville Predators 76 14 5 19 +2 123 96 14.6 12:20 13 5 3 8 +3 12 25 20.0 14:25
2018-19 AHL Milwaukee Admirals 2 4 0 4 +3
2018-19 NHL Nashville Predators 37 7 9 16 +11 39 64 10.9 14:30 6 1 1 2 -2 6 14 7.1 12:26
2019-20 NHL Nashville Predators 53 6 8 14 -9 65 50 12.0 11:37 4 2 6 0.0 10:35
2020-21 NHL Ottawa Senators 34 3 7 10 -7 40 41 7.3 12:00
2021-22 NHL Ottawa Senators 67 10 6 16 -3 91 88 11.4 11:59
2021-22 WC USA 10 0 1 1 -2 27
2022-23 NHL Ottawa Senators 75 9 2 11 -7 123 79 11.4 10:14
2023-24 NHL Tampa Bay Lightning 33 2 2 4 +2 93 17 11.8 7:16
2024-25 NHL Detroit Red Wings 13 3 0 3 +1 17 13 23.1 7:51
2024-25 AHL Grand Rapids Griffins 60 19 23 42 +10 112 3 -3 4
2025-26 AHL Grand Rapids Griffins 3 2 0 2 +2 12
NHL Career 528 63 58 121 -2 722 597 10.6 11:23 45 10 9 19 +4 48 73 13.7 13:27