6:46 p.m.: Wilson’s in-person hearing will be held Friday afternoon, per the department, meaning we’ll get clarity soon on how long he’ll be out of the lineup.
12:05 p.m.: The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has offered Capitals winger Tom Wilson an in-person hearing after he high-sticked Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor in last night’s 7-3 loss. The hearing date has not been announced, but the in-person option allows DoPS to suspend Wilson for six or more games.
Officials assessed Wilson a double minor penalty on the play, which occurred 12:15 into the third period. After engaging in a puck battle with Gregor along the boards, Wilson swung his stick one-handed, striking Gregor in the mouth (video link).
If suspended, it would be his sixth in the last seven years. Wilson, who made his NHL debut in 2013, was suspended on three separate instances in the 2017-18 season, one each in the preseason, regular season, and playoffs. All were less than five games. In the 2018 preseason, however, he was handed down a massive 20-game suspension by the league on a play that injured Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist, but it was later reduced to 14 by an independent arbitrator. His most recent suspension, a seven-gamer, came in March 2021. He’s also been fined five times.
After an injury-plagued 2022-23 campaign, Wilson has played in 66 of 68 games for the Caps this year. His 18:03 ATOI is second among current Caps forwards, while his 17 goals (4th) and 32 points (5th) are also near the top of the team leaderboard. A major minutes-muncher and still a truly impactful player, any long-term absence could significantly inhibit Washington’s chances at reaching the postseason. Their .551 points percentage is tied with the Red Wings for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
I’m actually surprised it’s an in-person hearing – kind of thought it’d be a fine or a 1 game suspension.
That said, I’m also tired of this clown trying to hurt guys. So yeah, throw the book at him.
Wow that’s yuck. Hope he gets 10 games.
Given his history he should get the rest of this season and the next. He’s obviously not learning his lesson from past suspensions. Could have taken out an eye.
It was a dumb (and dangerous) penalty, but he hasn’t been suspended in 3 years. He’s been no different than most agitators in that time. Meanwhile, Marchand has been suspended 7 times and gets nothing for a blatant elbow to the head earlier this year…
Guess we can tell who you root for and who you don’t.
Did it show…haha
Just ban this sack already.
If this was Trouba it would only be a fine…
Just curious… did Gregor high-stick Wilson first? Not saying Wilson’s intentional “attack” was justified, I’m just trying to sort out the replay.
@Fargo Chipper — That replay doesn’t show Gregor delivering a stick up high on Tommy, but his body language may have hinted he wanted to throw an elbow behind him to get #43 off of his back. Wilson’s response was just nutso, though.
Yes, nutso. Whatever happened with Gregor was certainly unintentional, but whatever Wilson was doing was obviously purposeful.
I thought the high stick was accidental and Wilson showed immediate remorse and concern for Gregor. I’m no Tom Wilson fan and I cheer for the Leafs.
No chance it was accidental. Looked like frustration from him. Kinda like a kid lashing out. His immediate remorse seemed more to me like someone that has a track record & didn’t want to cost his team with a lengthy suspension in a playoff push.
3 game suspension just to keep things in the middle Should be 1 game for action + 2 games because it’s Tom Wilson. He has earned it and deserves it.
I think he’ll get 6-7 games. Don’t think this was intentional at all for once. As soon as he makes contact he stops and shows remorse. I think he intended to make a tap/slash on the arms but lost control of his swing since he was only using 1 hand. History will cost him this time.