Confirmed with Link: Austin Watson joins Red Wings for training camp PTO

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Hes from Michigan... he can get signed to a 2 way, play in Grand Rapids and still be home for Christmas and shit like that. If injuries come up, the team needs a bit of a spark or theyre getting pushed around he can get a call up.

Its a PTO who cares

100%...if a rookie/prospect can't beat Watson out, well, it's because they're not very good or not good enough yet...

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

This is a good organizational move, he is a solid veteran that sticks up for teammates. He also has come out the other side of a bunch of personal issues so he has a lot of wisdom to impart if he does wind up down in Grand Rapids. I assume they have a two-way element to this, but I am fine with this signing, it is good organizational depth.

 

[Oddbob]

Hes from Michigan... he can get signed to a 2 way, play in Grand Rapids and still be home for Christmas and shit like that. If injuries come up, the team needs a bit of a spark or theyre getting pushed around he can get a call up.

Its a PTO who cares

Maybe some thought we signed a Pontiac PTO to play.

 

[FMichael]

Not really the worst idea.

Maybe - just maybe he gels with the team at camp and adds an element to the roster where his teammates play with a bit more gusto with him in the lineup.

100%...if a rookie/prospect can't beat Watson out, well, it's because they're not very good or not good enough yet...

But…But…But…We’re holding back all that talent from GR!!!

 

[Gniwder]

Most of the time it's relative to who he's fighting. Not many guys period are routinely winning against Maroon/Deslauriers. Only certain players step up to the plate period.

It's ok, Kasper and Mazur are gonna just use their grit and intimidate all of them.

 

[Dotter]

Chiasson and Bobby Ryan made the team after signing a PTO. The team doesn't have an enforcer at all, so there's an obvious need.

If the team needs a spare part that can be sent back and forth to GR, I'd rather have someone like Watson instead of Czarnik. Not impressed with his fighting ability though.

I guess it depends on the direction of the team Yzerman is wanting to take. Is he wanting to draft high or draft low. I think Mazur has a better chance at cracking the lineup over some random PTO signing. And rightfully so.

 

[sepster]

I don't see Austin Watson on the 4th line being the difference between the Wings drafting high or low.

 

[Euro Twins]

I love overreactions. Who's at risk of losing a spot if Watson makes the team? Snively?

 

[lilidk]

Maybe - just maybe he gels with the team at camp and adds an element to the roster where his teammates play with a bit more gusto with him in the lineup.


But…But…But…We’re holding back all that talent from GR!!!

For next season we have Larkin, Raymond, Debrincat, Kane , Tarasenko, Compher, Rasmussen, Veleno, Motte, Fischer, Copp and Berggren . That's 12 forwards
Seider, Edvinsson, Petry, Maatta, Chiarot, Gustafson, Holl and AJo . That's 8
3 goalies.
Total 23 players
What would Yzerman do if couple of kids in training camp looks better than those 23 players

 

[jkutswings]

What would Yzerman do if couple of kids in training camp looks better than those 23 players

Option 1: Attempt to trade said player(s) if they have any trade value.

Option 2: Waive said player(s) if they have no trade value. If they pass through waivers, send them down to Grand Rapids. If they refuse to report, then terminate their contract.

They missed the playoffs by one damn point. While I'm perfectly fine with having a high standard of when a kid is ready for the NHL, I have zero patience for any notion of, "Well, yeah, he's better than one or two of the veterans, but he's still waiver exempt, so..."

Ice the best team you can and to hell with the egos. Let's rock.

 

[better Red than Dead]

Not a popular take but I’d take Watson over Veleno or Motte. At least Watson provides some actual grit and sticks up for his teammates

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Other than this guy potentially blocking a kid’s roster spot, why are we mad at this?

 

[jkutswings]

Other than this guy potentially blocking a kid’s roster spot, why are we mad at this?

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Other than this guy potentially blocking a kid’s roster spot, why are we mad at this?

nice pfp

 

[PullHard]

Where are our parade planners?

 

[Gniwder]

For next season we have Larkin, Raymond, Debrincat, Kane , Tarasenko, Compher, Rasmussen, Veleno, Motte, Fischer, Copp and Berggren . That's 12 forwards
Seider, Edvinsson, Petry, Maatta, Chiarot, Gustafson, Holl and AJo . That's 8
3 goalies.
Total 23 players
What would Yzerman do if couple of kids in training camp looks better than those 23 players

My choice would be Husso, Holl, or Motte to GR (in order of preference). All of them will clear waivers. Not good for a goalie to sit for months without playing anyways. It'd be doing Husso a favor to send him down.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

3 pages on a PTO contract to Austin Watson?

The season can't start soon enough

 

[JediOrderPizza]

3 pages on a PTO contract to Austin Watson?

The season can't start soon enough

Just wait for when we sign Pacioretty!

 

[Pavels Dog]

I'd say his chances of earning a contract are <.000001%.

 

[newfy]

I'd say his chances of earning a contract are <.000001%.

A one way NHL contract, quite possibly. A two way in Grad Rapids? I would be kinda surprised if the wings didnt put him there, assuming hes willing to ride the bus

 

[Henkka]

A one way NHL contract, quite possibly. A two way in Grad Rapids? I would be kinda surprised if the wings didnt put him there, assuming hes willing to ride the bus

1-way NHL contract and send down to GR.

1-way or 2-way determines the salary. Nothing else.

 

[Gniwder]

I'd say his chances of earning a contract are <.000001%.

It's a lot higher than that. I'd rather have him on the roster than Husso or Holl. GR could use a tough guy as well. So maybe they work out a league min contract and move him up and down as necessary. Let's keep in mind Stevie gave Kostin $2M x 2 years as RFA.

 

[Pavels Dog]

It's a lot higher than that. I'd rather have him on the roster than Husso or Holl. GR could use a tough guy as well. So maybe they work out a league min contract and move him up and down as necessary. Let's keep in mind Stevie gave Kostin $2M x 2 years as RFA.

We had roster and cap space then. Plugging him as a GR guy, sure, I was speaking specifically earning a contract as an NHL roster player.

 

[Gniwder]

We had roster and cap space then. Plugging him as a GR guy, sure, I was speaking specifically earning a contract as an NHL roster player.

Send Husso or Holl to GR. There's your cap and roster space.

Virtually every team carries 13 forwards on their roster, I can't recall any team starting the season with 8D and 3 goalies. So I think his chances are much higher than your estimate.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Send Husso or Holl to GR. There's your cap and roster space.

Virtually every team carries 13 forwards on their roster, I can't recall any team starting the season with 8D and 3 goalies. So I think his chances are much higher than your estimate.

I'd say it's more likely we start with 8D and 3G than it is that we make desperation moves to dump players to make room for Austin Watson.