The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to finalize their 2023-24 roster as they announced that forward Austin Watson, who had been in training camp on a PTO, agreed to a one-year contract worth $776,665. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Ottawa Senators.
The Lightning will be Watson’s third NHL team in his career. He spent the first six seasons with the Nashville Predators and the last three with Ottawa. Over his nine seasons, he’s posted 58 goals and 56 assists in 482 games.
He won’t bring much offensive bang to the team, but should play league-average defense on the fourth line while also making sure that no one takes any liberties with the Lightning’s top players.