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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2025 | Detroit Red Wings | Assigned to AHL | |
| Oct 30, 2025 | Detroit Red Wings | Recalled from AHL | |
| 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. |
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
- Salary data is from TheStanleyCap.com
- Shooting and Skating (except Sh%AE) are from NHL Edge
- Other statistics are from Puckalytics.com and derived from data from NHL.com
Terms of Use
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Note: The image will update daily throughout the season so if you want to include snapshot then you must download the image.
If you have any questions, send an e-mail to the e-mail address at the top of this page.
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 | 7.35 | 5.88 |
| 2016-17 | NSH | 77 | 777:17 | 0.39 | 0.77 | 1.16 | 0.49 | -0.11 | 5.95 | 7.60 | -1.64 | 4.81 | 5.77 |
| 2017-18 | NSH | 76 | 731:26 | 0.74 | 0.25 | 0.98 | 0.61 | 0.13 | 11.11 | 9.17 | 1.94 | 2.63 | 3.51 |
| 2018-19 | NSH | 37 | 448:39 | 0.53 | 0.94 | 1.47 | 0.75 | -0.21 | 6.78 | 9.48 | -2.70 | 0.00 | 3.37 |
| 2019-20 | NSH | 53 | 533:26 | 0.67 | 0.45 | 1.12 | 0.54 | 0.14 | 13.04 | 10.35 | 2.70 | 4.48 | 4.48 |
| 2020-21 | OTT | 34 | 315:52 | 0.57 | 1.14 | 1.71 | 0.65 | -0.08 | 9.38 | 10.66 | -1.29 | 0.00 | 8.16 |
| 2021-22 | OTT | 67 | 688:17 | 0.52 | 0.35 | 0.87 | 0.59 | -0.07 | 7.41 | 8.41 | -1.00 | 1.82 | 7.27 |
| 2022-23 | OTT | 75 | 594:01 | 0.61 | 0.20 | 0.81 | 0.61 | -0.00 | 9.38 | 9.39 | -0.01 | 1.04 | 3.12 |
| 2023-24 | TBL | 33 | 231:46 | 0.52 | 0.52 | 1.04 | 0.38 | 0.14 | 12.50 | 9.08 | 3.42 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 13 | 96:12 | 1.87 | 0.00 | 1.87 | 0.60 | 1.27 | 23.08 | 7.42 | 15.65 | 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 | 1.66 | 41.18 | 50.14 | -0.85 | -0.36 | -5.45 |
| 2016-17 | NSH | 77 | 777:17 | 34.04 | 1.85 | 1.77 | 38.67 | 1.31 | 2.12 | 58.54 | 45.56 | -0.86 | -0.21 | -7.53 |
| 2017-18 | NSH | 76 | 731:26 | 37.24 | 1.72 | 1.97 | 39.21 | 2.38 | 2.27 | 42.00 | 46.51 | -0.72 | -0.22 | -5.44 |
| 2018-19 | NSH | 37 | 448:39 | 38.25 | 2.54 | 2.15 | 40.92 | 1.87 | 2.43 | 57.58 | 46.91 | -0.64 | 0.03 | -6.82 |
| 2019-20 | NSH | 53 | 533:26 | 34.64 | 2.02 | 1.76 | 44.65 | 3.49 | 2.68 | 36.73 | 39.60 | -1.01 | 0.27 | -13.91 |
| 2020-21 | OTT | 34 | 315:52 | 42.36 | 2.85 | 2.39 | 45.78 | 4.37 | 2.63 | 39.47 | 47.56 | -0.20 | 0.02 | -2.14 |
| 2021-22 | OTT | 67 | 688:17 | 35.92 | 1.48 | 1.97 | 42.80 | 2.18 | 2.60 | 40.48 | 43.19 | -0.55 | -0.19 | -4.36 |
| 2022-23 | OTT | 75 | 594:01 | 37.27 | 1.31 | 2.06 | 40.40 | 2.32 | 2.50 | 36.11 | 45.19 | -0.80 | -0.16 | -6.61 |
| 2023-24 | TBL | 33 | 231:46 | 27.18 | 1.81 | 1.53 | 38.57 | 1.29 | 2.03 | 58.33 | 42.98 | -1.06 | -0.40 | -8.63 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 13 | 96:12 | 36.80 | 3.12 | 1.81 | 36.17 | 1.87 | 2.56 | 62.50 | 41.47 | -0.33 | 0.07 | -4.84 |
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 |
5v5 Lines
| Season | Teammate | Teammate | Team | TOI | GF/60 | GA/60 | GF% | xGF/60 | xGA/60 | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|
Glossary
| Type | Statistic | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | G/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | A/60 | Assists per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | Pts/60 | Points per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | xG/60 | Expected Goals per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | GAE/60 | Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60). |
| Individual | Sh% | Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | xSh% | Expected Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | Sh%AE | Shooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%). |
| Individual | %SA Rush | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush. |
| Individual | %SA Reb. | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds. |
| On Ice | SAF/60 | Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | GF/60 | Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | xGF/60 | Expected Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | SAA/60 | Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GA/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGA/60 | Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GF% | Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF% | Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF Rel | xGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice. |
| On Ice | xGA Rel | xGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGF% Rel | xGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice. |
News and Opinions
-
Red Wings veteran sent down — is this the end of his NHL run? at Octopus Thrower (Tue Nov 4, 2025)
-
Red Wings Recall Watson From Grand Rapids at Detroit Hockey Now (Thu Oct 30, 2025)
Current Contract
Austin Watson signed a $775,000 1-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings and General Manager Steve Yzerman on March 5, 2025 with an AAV of $775,000. This contract will start in 2025-26 and end after the 2025-26 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 0.81% of the salary cap.
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
Austin Watson signed a $775,000 1-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings and General Manager Steve Yzerman on October 7, 2024 with an AAV of $775,000. This contract will start in 2024-25 and end after the 2024-25 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 0.88% of the salary cap.
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 |
Austin Watson signed a $776,665 1-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and General Manager Julien Brisebois on October 9, 2022 with an AAV of $776,665. This contract will start in 2022-23 and end after the 2022-23 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 0.94% of the salary cap.
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 |
Austin Watson signed a $4,500,000 3-year contract with the Nashville Predators and General Manager David Poile on October 31, 2019 with an AAV of $1,500,000. This contract will start in 2020-21 and end after the 2022-23 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.84% of the salary cap.
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 |
Austin Watson signed a $3,300,000 3-year contract with the Nashville Predators and General Manager David Poile on July 24, 2017 with an AAV of $1,100,000. This contract will start in 2017-18 and end after the 2019-20 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.47% of the salary cap.
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 |
Austin Watson signed a $1,150,000 2-year contract with the Nashville Predators and General Manager David Poile on June 29, 2015 with an AAV of $575,000. This contract will start in 2015-16 and end after the 2016-17 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 0.81% of the salary cap.
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 |
Austin Watson signed a $2,790,000 3-year contract with the Nashville Predators and General Manager David Poile on March 30, 2011 with an AAV of $930,000. This contract will start in 2010-11 and end after the 2013-14 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.57% of the salary cap.
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 |
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 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 | +3 | 29 | ||||||||||||
| NHL Career | 528 | 63 | 58 | 121 | -2 | 722 | 597 | 10.6 | 11:23 | 45 | 10 | 9 | 19 | +4 | 48 | 73 | 13.7 | 13:27 | ||