Austin Watson Signs PTO With Atlantic Team

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed winger Austin Watson to a professional tryout (PTO) contract.

Watson, 31, spent this past season with the Ottawa Senators, posting nine goals, 11 points, 165 hits, and 123 penalty minutes. Overall, the veteran forward proved to be a decent fourth-liner for the Senators yet again because of his toughness and physicality. He will now be hoping that they help him land a contract from the Lightning for the 2023-24 season.

Seeing the Lightning giving Watson a tryout is not particularly surprising, as they traded fellow gritty forward Pat Maroon to the Minnesota Wild earlier this offseason. Thus, they could use some more toughness, so let's see if that fact leads to Watson earning himself a cheap one-year deal from the Lightning from here.

In 482 career NHL games over nine seasons split between the Nashville Predators and Senators, Watson has 58 goals, 56 assists, 114 points, and 612 penalty minutes.   

photo credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports