Red Wings send forward down to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins Monday

Enforcer Austin Watson will have to work his way up the depth chart, as he was reassigned to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins today.

The Ann Arbor, MI, native has played 4 games for the Griffins this year and scored 2 goals, with a +1 rating and 20 penalty minutes at the beginning of the 2025-26 AHL season.

While the enforcer's recall came without Watson getting some time on NHL ice, we always assumed he was here as a placeholder just in case another forward in the lineup was injured.

With Patrick Kane being out of the lineup, the team has had to get creative with the assignment of personnel, including Mason Appleton, who has found himself in the top six of the Red Wings in Kane's absence.

Watson has been a depth forward and enforcer in the NHL for the majority of his career.

Originally drafted 18th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, the former 1st-round pick has played a total of 528 games and scored 121 points (63-58) and 722 penalty minutes.

He's suited up for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Last season, he played in the AHL All-Star game with goaltender Sebastian Cossa, representing the Griffins in Palm Beach, California.

This season could prove to be pivotal for the veteran enforcer as the AHL season is starting up again.

The Red Wings invited Watson to a PTO (professional tryout) last season, and he converted into a contract and has been a depth option in the organization since.