11/3/2025: The Red Wings announced today that they’ve reassigned Watson back to AHL Grand Rapids. The Red Wings played in three games from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, but Watson didn’t dress for any of them.
The main benefit for Watson during this recall was financial: he will receive a prorated bump in pay, as he has a $775K NHL salary and a $375K AHL salary. That will make it more likely he will be able to exceed his $400K guarantee by the end of the season, should he be recalled again down the line. He also gains pension credits for those three games for which he was on the NHL roster.
Therefore, while this recall did not pay any on-ice dividends for Watson, the Red Wings’ choice to provide the veteran with some additional time on its NHL roster did have some financial benefits for the player.
10/30/2025: According to a team announcement, the Detroit Red Wings have recalled forward Austin Watson from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Detroit has had an open roster spot for the last few days after reassigning prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard on Monday.
Despite taking Brandsegg-Nygard’s spot on the active roster, there’s little chance for consistent playing time for Watson. Even without veteran Patrick Kane for the foreseeable future, the team has Elmer Soderblom, who has a much higher ceiling than Watson, to fall back on.
If Watson does enter the lineup at any point over the current recall, the Red Wings will know exactly what to expect. The 11-year veteran is in his second year with the organization, scoring three goals in 13 games for Detroit last year, averaging 7:51 of ice time.
The only value Watson can provide is his physicality and aggression. Since debuting with the Nashville Predators during the 2012-13 season, Watson has accrued 722 PIMs in 528 games while collecting 1,245 hits. Interestingly, he’s been more of an offensive contributor in the AHL, scoring 94 goals and 176 points in 298 games while managing 221 PIMs. It’s important to note that before his time with the Griffins, Watson had only managed 90 PIMs in the AHL.
Detroit begins a four-game road trip through the NHL’s Pacific Division tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. Given that no teams on the trip are particularly physical, the earliest Watson could be expected to enter the lineup is next Friday against the New York Rangers, who have the third-most hits to start the 2025-26 campaign.
Kane out 8 weeks. Broken wrist.
And you know this, how?
Inside knowledge. No reason to lie about it.
Inside knowledge. Funny stuff! I will take “Things That Have Zero Chance of Being True” for $500.
If this was remotely true the Wings would have had him on IR. There is ZERO reason for team to avoid putting him on hockey’s version of IR, as it gives cap relief & a roster spot. The fact they list him day-to-day means you are full of shhhhh
Guess we will see what happens. See you guys in a few weeks when I’m proven right…
Watson is such a dirty bum.
Watson is actually a great player. I remember when he took over games for Nashville back in the day when they were contenders. I’d rather have running the 4th line than Rasmussen. I guess Yzerman needs to squeeze maximum out of big Ras and sell him off while he’s got any value. There’s no qustification for him being in the lineup
Watson should play Thurs. night @ Anaheim opposite Ducks tough guy Ross Johnston
Recent games seem to show a return of defensive lapses. I hesitate to say “lazy” play down low but opponents are walking into primo scoring areas un-challenged. Game management also seems to be part of it. Late period or late game with a one point lead is played a lot differently but that seems to be lost on some players. With minutes to go anything or anyone in a potentially scoring position constitutes an all hands on deck D zone coverage emergency. Yet, there they are primo shots with only an outstanding save by the goalie to prevent ties or go ahead goals. One of our top rated Ds seems to have left a few opponents free to take shots in the past few games. Basics are starting to slip a bit.
We’ll see how they do at San Jose, a team struggling a bit. It is a bit worrisome that the Wings are seeming to fall back into that “playing to the level of the opponent” thing that keeps the opponents in the game instead of closing the deal early and constantly for 60 minutes.
Starting to recognize McClellan’s deep concern for between the ears “game management” regardless of who is on the roster. Losses will occur, Wings need to be sure they are “beaten” and don’t “lose” games. There is a huge difference there. “Losing” vs being “beaten” seems to be creeping into the lineup. They CAN compete among the top, its now whether they DO compete, much of that is upstairs between the ears.
They eat too much snus
Classy move on the part of the Red Wings to help boost Watson’s player pension when he finally hangs up the skates, which at age 33 can’t be too far off.
11/8/25: Well, we are seeing the Wings fall into that same old annual “there’s still a lot of season left to go” mentality. About half of this roster are suddenly phoning it in. I guess these lost points are somehow going to become super critical later, that is IF they are anywhere near the chase for a post season spot. They better wake up and play as if it were game 7 in the playoffs from now on or they’ll be an also ran at the end. They CAN all play, not sure why they all aren’t. It is McClellan’s warning that a number of the roster are riding the brakes for some reason. Fans are tiring of these and maybe we need to exchange them for some eager AHL players before its too late.
How about issuing a couple of bus tickets:
-Departure NHL / arrival AHL: Rasmussen and Soderblom.
-Departure AHL / arrival NHL: Leonard & Shine or Lombardi & Danielson.