There is some great, young talent at the AHL level for the Nashville Predators, and that means that players like Austin Watson have to earn their roster spot.
The Predators lineup was one that changed constantly until the last couple of weeks before the pause. Watson was in and out of the lineup due to questionable play.
Now you have to wonder if there’s a long-term future for Watson and the Predators. What makes things more complicated is that the team signed Watson to an extension this past October that goes until 2022-23.
So this obviously makes the Predators more committed to finding a spot for Watson, but his play has to justify that to keep more valuable players from being called up to take his place.