Speculation: Austin Watson Ceiling

[AintLifeGrand]

Is he finally getting it? I recall when he was drafted he was expected to be a Mike Fisher redux. I think he could be a 15-15 guy

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[hockey diva]

He needs to learn how to win face offs and fights. His fights have been beat downs. Maybe some MMA training next summer?

 

[TitansVolsPreds615]

I actually think he has held up alright in fights. He hasn't taken a beating like Grant did last night in a while.

 

[triggrman]

He's not Mike Fisher but a 10-15 goal season is reasonable.

He's a big body that needs to play hard all the time and right now he is. A big dude like him that learns to forecheck and hit hard is valuable for that skill alone. If he can also add offense, he'll be a good asset to the team.

 

[Legionnaire11]

10-10 on the 4th line would be fantastic like a Brian Boyle type.

 

[Paranoid Android]

He's exceeded my expectations, but I still don't think he's top 6 material.

 

[triggrman]

He's exceeded my expectations, but I still don't think he's top 6 material.

He's not and anyone putting him in the top 6 is setting him up to fail.

 

[MrJoshua]

I agree he's not top six material, but if he can settle in as a fourth-liner than can bang around and chip in 10+ goals per season and contribute on the PK, he'll be a valuable player. Some spot duty on the third line maybe when he's going well or there's an injury. Not bad.

 

[token grinder]

He needs to learn how to win face offs and fights. His fights have been beat downs. Maybe some MMA training next summer?

No reason to be a faceoff ace if he is playing LW


But 30 points a year in a bottom 6 role is his ceiling

 

[KurtAngle]

He's not and anyone putting him in the top 6 is setting him up to fail.

Why can he not be a top 6?

 

[AdmiralsFan24]

A big body who hustles and plays on the PK with decent enough skill to score 10-15 goals is valuable. Park him in front of the net and he'll get there just by virtue of getting rebounds while he's screening the goalie.

 

[triggrman]

Why can he not be a top 6?

Skill level.

 

[Mypetrobot]

No reason to be a faceoff ace if he is playing LW


But 30 points a year in a bottom 6 role is his ceiling

He is a centreman.

Drafted at 18th. Two way centreman with some upside. Could be a younger version of fisher. Kills penalties doesn't give up the puck and has size. Pretty much everything Fiala can't do.

 

[bdub24]

I believe we are seeing the best season of his career right now.

 

[SauceMyBiscuit]

Why can he not be a top 6?

His skating, puck control, and hockey IQ hold him back from being a highly skilled player.

 

[Pred303]

why in the world are we comparing Watson to fiala here? lol

 

[Drake744]

why in the world are we comparing Watson to fiala here? lol

I'm not sure I'd say "we".

 

[token grinder]

what you are drafted at and what you are are two different things. He will take draws here and there, but he has been on the LW most of the year. Fisher now, Jarnkrok before and Sissons have been his centerman

 

[Mypetrobot]

why in the world are we comparing Watson to fiala here? lol

So we can't compare similar drafted players?11th versus 18th but different years?

I can compare Fiala to nylander or elhers or Larkin and Fiala would still look terrible.

Where a player is drafted at totally matters. If you draft first overall and the player turns into a bottom six player than it's a bust.

Anyways Watson is a +10 and and 10 points. Disappointing considering where he was drafted but better than others.

 

[Soundgarden]

Honestly, if you can play 100 games as a first rounder outside the top 5 that's considered a success, speaking of Watson just hit 100 games vs. Van. The level in which 1sts are overvalued is insane.

I really don't understand your hate over Fiala dude. He's a rookie getting his first sniff in the NHL and he's looked pretty good, yes you can compare him to other players drafted around him, but every player is different and develop at different rates. The fact you're comparing Fiala with Watson is inane.

As for Watson, he's a competent bottom sixer, and that's great for someone drafted in the late teens. Getting waived really helped him out. I said it when he was drafted that he might not be a star, but wouldn't be surprised if he played 500 or more games in the league, which reminds me he was drafted as pretty much a sure bet to make the league.

 

[Mypetrobot]

Honestly, if you can play 100 games as a first rounder outside the top 5 that's considered a success, speaking of Watson just hit 100 games vs. Van. The level in which 1sts are overvalued is insane.

I really don't understand your hate over Fiala dude. He's a rookie getting his first sniff in the NHL and he's looked pretty good, yes you can compare him to other players drafted around him, but every player is different and develop at different rates. The fact you're comparing Fiala with Watson is inane.

As for Watson, he's a competent bottom sixer, and that's great for someone drafted in the late teens. Getting waived really helped him out. I said it when he was drafted that he might not be a star, but wouldn't be surprised if he played 500 or more games in the league, which reminds me he was drafted as pretty much a sure bet to make the league.

I don't hate him just critical of him. The amount of pumping his tires on this board is insane.

To bring it back on topic, I think Watson will be a tweener. If he can turn himself into a faceoff specialist like gaustad he could have a long career with his body but since he's on the wing he'll need to work on that on his own time.

 

[Enjoy i24 Traffic]

How did getting waived help?

 

[Soundgarden]

How did getting waived help?

He's played a lot better since he realized he's not guaranteed a spot on the roster.

 

[AdmiralsFan24]

I don't hate him just critical of him. The amount of pumping his tires on this board is insane.

Who's pumping his tires? The only thing I want for Fiala is to get a legitimate shot with at least 15 minutes a game and PP time, especially with all the injuries for an extended period of time without being shifted up and down the lineup/scratched every other game. If he can't handle it, that's fine, send him down. But him getting 10-12 minutes and getting scratched is doing nothing for his development.

 

[Mypetrobot]

Who's pumping his tires? The only thing I want for Fiala is to get a legitimate shot with at least 15 minutes a game and PP time, especially with all the injuries for an extended period of time without being shifted up and down the lineup/scratched every other game. If he can't handle it, that's fine, send him down. But him getting 10-12 minutes and getting scratched is doing nothing for his development.

Hes had more than 15 minutes a game and PP time....