Confirmed with Link: Lightning sign Austin Watson to PTO | Update: signed 1 year, $776,665 AAV

[Point21]

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[Felonious Python]

I'm surprised at how good the PTOs are this year.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Kind of surprising no one signed him. If he gets no other offers and signs super cheap, he's a decent option for a 12F and 13F. Means ABB goes back down and possibly Brown.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

 

[Felonious Python]

Watson is more than a fighter, but according to hockeyfights.com, Maroon and Watson had the same number of scraps last season (12), while Jeannot had 11.

Corey Perry somehow had 9, so we're probably down a bit in that department.

 

[Sky04]

Got a Jeannot without giving up 5 picks

 

[Crunchrulz]

Interesting signing. If they keep him and send him down, gives Syracuse Walker and Watson for heavies and Element and Walcott for lights/middles. This would once again make life miserable for visitors to the War Memorial as they would not be able to take the liberties we have seen over the past few seasons.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Fun fact: he’s the son of hockey legend Matt Watson!

(Not true btw.)

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Fun fact: he’s the son of hockey legend Matt Watson!

(Not true btw.)

It's real to me damnit

 

[Byrddog]

Watson is more than a fighter, but according to hockeyfights.com, Maroon and Watson had the same number of scraps last season (12), while Jeannot had 11.

Corey Perry somehow had 9, so we're probably down a bit in that department.

Yeah he is a wife beating drunk.

 

[Felonious Python]

Yeah he is a wife beating drunk.

This was going to come up.

Austin Watson (and his partner) have had addiction issues, but seem to be taking sobriety seriously the past few years.



here he is Christmas shopping with Nick Paul.

 

[Byrddog]

This was going to come up.

Austin Watson (and his partner) have had addiction issues, but seem to be taking sobriety seriously the past few years.



here he is Christmas shopping with Nick Paul.

Do remember I am from the Nashville area. And lived that drama. I figured the every player deserves a second chance to be the response. But when David Poile gave up on him that spoke volumes. He was given chance after chance suspended by the team the league and put on probation by the criminal justice system. I hope he does get his life in order but do not want see him on this roster. Just another feather in JBB’s cap I guess he has had a awesome 2023 year.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Do remember I am from the Nashville area. And lived that drama. I figured the every player deserves a second chance to be the response. But when David Poile gave up on him that spoke volumes. He was given chance after chance suspended by the team the league and put on probation by the criminal justice system. I hope he does get his life in order but do not want see him on this roster. Just another feather in JBB’s cap I guess he has had a awesome 2023 year.

The guy has played without issue for 2 full seasons in Ottawa... so what are you talking about?

 

[Rschmitz]

Was a little confused for a split second there, how did we sign Austin Matthews to a PTO after Toronto just signed him?


Seems like an ok deal but honestly hope our young guys make him obsolete

 

[Felonious Python]

The guy has played without issue for 2 full seasons in Ottawa... so what are you talking about?

I don't know the details of his trade to Ottawa, but sometimes GMs will trade a guy (at least partially) for the good of the player.

 

[Crunchrulz]

Yeah he is a wife beating drunk.

Imagine, for a moment, if every person who is alleged and/or convicted of a crime were cast aside for the rest of his/her life as useless rather than being given a chance to redeem themselves and prove they have changed for the better.
One of the great things about a civilized society is we have the compassion and the ability to give our fellow humans a second, and sometimes more, chance to prove themselves before we turn our backs on them and cast them away.

 

[Felonious Python]

Sens radio pxp

 

[Ducati Boy]

When it comes to personal issues, sports is different from most of society.

If any sports team has to choose between a player who has alcohol/drug issues versus the kind of player who is arrogant, condescending, a smartass, a gaslighter and a clubhouse lawyer, you take the former.

The player with addictions can get help. The other kind can tear a locker room apart.

From what I know, Watson has a good rep as a team guy.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I like taking a chance on him. Should lead to a pretty ccompetitive training camp, lots of spots up for grabs.

 

[These Are The Days]

I'm a believer in second chances if the player has reformed. If he's truly sorry for getting tanked up and (I think it was) beating his family and has legitimately altered who he is as a person and has a support system, just make sure it is sustained. You can manage addiction and anger but he has to be on a short leash if anything happens again. I don't care how good you are at hockey if you hurt people. So long he has truly changed as a person, is genuinely remorseful and never does it again.

Good luck big guy. I think he'll make the team

 

[aylib]

I don't have much of value to offer besides that he replaces Maroon as a bit of a punching bag. I know he drops the gloves but is atrocious at it.

 

[Outl4w]

Watson and Jeannot beef up the bottom 6 and add some protectors for the skill guys. Watson is basically Jeannot for free. Solid bottom 6 addition.

 

[Rschmitz]

Watson and Jeannot beef up the bottom 6 and add some protectors for the skill guys. Watson is basically Jeannot for free. Solid bottom 6 addition.

Oh great another Jeannot, I can barely contain my excitement

 

[Outl4w]

Oh great another Jeannot, I can barely contain my excitement

Well at least we saved our picks.

 

[Stammertime91]

Well at least we saved our picks.

Didn't have any left to save.