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The post Three Red Wings Roster Projections (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Derek Lalonde would rather that his Detroit Red Wings had some more bite. So he’s considering a switch.

Two forwards in Red Wings training camp are players who would bring that element to the lineup. Austin Watson and Isaac Ratcliffe are in Traverse City on Professional Tryout Offers (PTO). They are promised nothing beyond a chance to show what they’ve got.

If you’ve ever watched the hockey cult classic Slap Shot, a chance to show what they’ve got was all it took for the Hanson brothers to make their mark with the Charlestown Chiefs.

Lalonde isn’t looking for anyone to bring that level of mayhem to the ice. But he does believe there’s a place for controlled mayhem.

“I think when done correctly, every team could use that and that type of player,” the Red Wings coach said.

Both Watson and Ratcliffe are certainly that type of player.

Watson Won’t Back Down

Last season, Watson was dropping the gloves seven times. He would tangle with 2023-24 NHL fight leader Nicolas Deslauriers, Zack MacEwen and Pat Maroon among his combatants.

“I don’t think he backs down from anyone,” said Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat, Watson’s teammate with the 2022-23 Ottawa Senators.

Watson collected 93 penalty minutes in 33 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Twice, he’s accumulated 123 PIM in a single NHL season.

With the 2018-19 OHL champion Guelph Storm, Ratcliffe was turning the unique double of leading the team in goals (50) and penalty minutes (105).

His NHL resume is limited in comparison to Watson. Ratcliffe saw action in 10 games for the 2021-22 Philadelphia Flyers, collecting 10 PIM.

Red Wings May Enter Protection Racket

Detroit is a team loaded with high-end skill. The Red Wings run deep in players with silky mitts. They are short-staffed when it comes to players willing to drop the mitts. As a team, the Wings only fought 11 times all season.

That’s why they might be considering enrollment into the NHL protection racket.

“Obviously, we have some skill,” Lalonde said. “We would like that skill to be comfortable in the way they play, and that can look different at times.

“So, of course, I think we would love that element if it’s the right fit.”

Along with bringing an element of toughness, in today’s game, rugged players must deliver more that just fistic punches. They need to add something else to the lineup.

Watson has certainly proven to be a player of that ilk during his 10 NHL seasons.

“I think he brings that nasty element,” DeBrincat said. “He’s so hard on the forecheck. He plays maybe not too many minutes, but he’s playing those minutes hard, and he’s crushing their D and getting them tired for the rest of the game.

“So, he’d be a great addition to this team.”

The post Red Wings Looking to Add Bite appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Add another Michigander to the roster of the Detroit Red Wings. The club is inviting forward Austin Watson to training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

Watson’s representatives, WD Sports & Entertainment, were making the announcement of the offer via their social media feed on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

: Austin Watson has accepted a Professional Tryout Offer with the @DetroitRedWings for training camp ahead of the 2024-2025 @NHL season.#WDSE #NHL #RedWings #AustinWatson pic.twitter.com/rARB6w3FnH

— WD Sports & Entertainment (@WD_sportsagency) August 28, 2024

A 32-year-old left-winger from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Watson is a veteran of 515 NHL games. He spent the past season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, collecting 2-2-4 totals in 33 games.

Watson has also played with the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators. The Predators were selecting him 18th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft.

As a junior player, Watson won the 2008-09 Memorial Cup across the Detroit River with the Windsor Spitfires. He’d also play in the 2011-12 Memorial Cup with the London Knights.

How Likely Are Red Wings To Sign Watson?

Raw data shows that about 20% of players who attend NHL camps come away with a contract. Last season, the Red Wings did opt to sign goaltender Michael Hutchinson from a training camp PTO. He first would ink an AHL deal, which was later upgraded to an NHL pact.

There are certainly elements in Watson’s game that would come in handy to Detroit’s cause. He’s a physical presence as a bottom-six forward. Even last season he wound up dishing out 85 hits in just 33 games.

It marked the first time in seven seasons that Watson didn’t go over 100 hits. He was responsible for a career-high 213 hits with the Senators in 2021-22. That season also saw Watson scoring 10 goals. He netted a career-best 14 goals with Nashville in 2017-18.

The Red Wings aren’t deep in experienced NHL-caliber forwards beyond the 12 players who figure to start the season on the club’s roster. If Watson isn’t able to claim a place on the big club, he’d definitely be an attractive option to be available with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. He could join another 2010 first-round pick, goalie Jack Campbell (11th overall) were Watson to wind up with the Griffins.

Watson has always found playing against the Red Wings to be an enjoyable experience. He’s scored six goals in 16 career games vs Detroit.

The post Red Wings Extend PTO to Veteran NHL Forward appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.