This isn’t the first time Austin Watson has been mentioned on this site and it certainly will not be the last.
What’s the expression? Calling a spade – a spade? Well, I like to call a scumbag a scumbag and that is exactly what Austin Watson is. I won’t mention any of his off ice drama or history because I clearly was not there nor do I know enough to comment. Having said that, I’ve seen enough of Watson in an NHL uniform to tell you exactly what he is – a goon, a rat, and someone who never has any impact on a game unless he’s doing candy ass things like this.
To an average hockey fan, a goon would be considered one of those legendary enforcers who would beat the bag out of someone for looking at them funny. I take exception to this because those players had a role, were tough as shit and played the game both by the rulebook and by the code. To me, those “goons” were in fact warriors and great teammates- they were counted on and they should be respected. When I see the word goon, I think about someone who cannot play the game well, someone who will take liberties against other smaller players or players who do not know they’re in the fight and someone who does not play with integrity. A “goon” might be fake tough and a “goon” is most certainly a rat. If you need an example of a player like this – think of a Matt Cooke type player.
Austin Watson is a goon who continues to do stupid shit in the league without any remorse or repercussions. It’s 2023, do we really think the head of NHL player safety really gives a shit? We now live in a world where players can openly hammer shots at each other with no fear of suspension. The boys can just go out there and hum high hard ones at one another for pennies on the dime. Parros should’ve been sent to the moon years ago, but I digress.
The Predators unfortunately do not play the Bolts for the rest of the season which is a huge kick in the nads. Jeremy Lauzon, by all accounts, is a pretty tough guy who has had his fair share of scraps.
Oh well, maybe next year – if Watson can manage to stay in the league.
The Morning Skate 