Observations:

May 2012 – Austin is having a great season everywhere he goes and is very much forging a spot for himself in Nashville next season. After the trade from to London, he popped off 35 points in 29 games, plus 17 more in 19 playoff games. Tonight he scored three more points while driving London to victory in the first game of the Memorial Cup. Last season he won the Memorial Cup with Windsor and hopes to repeat, but wishes to play a larger role. Jason Banks

May 2012 - Watson received the OHL Playoff MVP honours after a tremendous playoff Championship run with the London Knights.  He should his effectiveness in all three zones and his attention to detail on the defensive end has been very promising.  He is a very good shotblocker and his versatility will be welcomed on the Predators. Watson is a prospect that will make the NHL before most of his draft peers simply because of the role he plays defensively. Brendan Ross

January, 2012 – London Knights’ recent acquisition of Austin Watson for their playoff run is an example of how valuable a player of Watson’s statue can be.  Watson is a big bodied(6’3), versatile, and responsible forward that plays with intensity and plenty of tenacity.  The Ann Arbor native began his OHL career for the Windsor Spitfires (2^nd Round, 36^th overall in OHL Draft) playing in the shadows of Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique and Greg Nemisz prior to being traded halfway through his draft year for Zack Kassian.  Watson is an energetic player with good hands and prides himself on doing the little things to help his squad win games like blocking shots.  In his past three major junior seasons, Watson has clipped along at over a point-per-game pace and consistently contributed to team offense.  As evidence by his 2012 U20 World Junior Championship statistics, Watson should he has very good offensive skills as he led all USA players in scoring with 9 points in six games. The former Petes captain has already made his 8-game debut for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirables last season and will likely hone his skills as a professional in the 2012-13 season.

Fantasy Outlook:   B-

Watson is a prototypical Nashville Predators draft pick – a player with good offensive skills and instincts who thrives playing a responsible two-way game.  Austin Watson has good potential but he is a player who excels defensively and his abilities in those areas could potentially pigeon-hole him into a more defensive role.  The opportunity to develop into a ‘Ryan Kesler-type’ of player who does it all definitely remains.  David Bolland is a player who compares well to Austin Watson and he will certainly have fantasy value at the NHL level.  Austin Watson will become a forward who will earn plenty of ice time in the NHL as he does not have too many glaring weaknesses.

Footage:

Austin Watson Feature

Fantasy Prospects Report Notes (Any FPR's released in the last 18 months will not be listed here):

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Austin Watson’s  statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects

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