Capitals Sign Tom Wilson To Six-Year Extension
Saturday: CapFriendly has a breakdown of Wilson’s six-year, $31MM contract. Wilson will also have a modified NTC, which includes a 10-team no trade list for 2020-21 and 2021-22, followed by a seven-team no-trade list f0r 2022-23 and 2023-24.
2018-19: $1.1M Base + $5M SB
2019-20: $1.5M Base + $3M SB
2020-21: $2.1M Base + $2M SB
2021-22: $3.1M Base + $3M SB
2022-23: $2.1M Base + $2M SB
2023-24: $5.1M Base + $1M SB
Friday: The defending Stanley Cup champions have their muscle in place for the next several years. The Washington Capitals announced this evening that they have re-signed restricted free agent forward Tom Wilson to a six-year, $31MM contract extension. Wilson’s annual cap hit will be $5.17MM through 2023-24. CapFriendly reports that $15MM of the contract is in base salary and the other $16MM is in signing bonuses, while adding that the final three years of the contract carry a Modified No-Trade Clause. Wilson himself tweeted out his excitement to be remaining in D.C. for the foreseeable future.
At first glance, the first impression of this contract is that it might be an over-payment by the Capitals. This salary over this amount of time puts Wilson in a similar bracket with recent signings like Jonathan Marchessault, Josh Bailey, Alexander Wennberg, and Mikael Backlund – all players relied on as primary offensive contributors for their teams. Wilson is not that type of player for Washington, rather a two-way forward known more for his aggressive defensive play and checking ability. In fact, it is hard to think of any forward with Wilson’s career production to date ever landing a contract worth more than $5MM per year. However, the Capitals have always been clear about how highly they regard the young power forward. GM Brian MacLellan reiterated those feelings in the team’s release, stating:
“Tom is an invaluable member of our team and we are pleased that he will play a great part in our foreseeable future. Tom is a unique player in this League. At 24 years of age, he has an impressive amount of experience and we believe that he will only continue to grow and improve as a player. With his ability to play in virtually any game situation, teams need players like Tom in order to succeed in the NHL.”
Wilson certainly helped himself in negotiations with his postseason performance. His five goals and ten assists made him a crucial piece to Washington’s cap run. His playoff heroics were also cited by the team in the release and that clutch factor is yet another reason that the Capitals feel so strongly about Wilson moving forward. Add that to career-high’s across the board and it makes some sense why the team may see Wilson’s value on the rise.
With Wilson’s contract complete, the Capitals have signed all of their restricted free agents and CapFriendly currently projects that they will enter the season with the third-highest payroll and only $1.1MM in cap space. Interestingly, the money used to afford Wilson this season is just about $300K of what Washington would have been paying defenseman Brooks Orpik before he was traded to and subsequently bought out by the Colorado Avalanche. Orpik has since resigned with the Caps for $1MM and Wilson gets the money he wanted. Everything has worked out nicely for the Stanley Cup champs this off-season. With most of their roster returning and most of their core signed long-term, Wilson and the Capitals may have another Cup run in them over the course of this contract.
Washington Capitals Re-Sign Madison Bowey
The Washington Capitals still have to reach a contract with Tom Wilson, but are close to inking all of their restricted free agents this summer. Madison Bowey is the latest to re-sign with the Capitals on a two-year contract worth a total of $2MM.
Bowey, 23, made his NHL debut last season and ended up playing 51 games with the Capitals. Though he didn’t see any time in the playoffs, he still was able to experience the run with the team and celebrate them winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. That experience should come in handy this season when Bowey will be asked to be a full-time contributor to the team, anchoring the bottom pairing with either Christian Djoos or Michal Kempny, depending on how the season goes along.
Still waiting for his first NHL goal, Bowey showed that he could be a capable puck mover at even-strength and racked up 12 assists in his shortened season despite limited minutes. That total could certainly improve going forward as the second-round pick gains more confidence at the NHL level and is given a bigger role. The league is short on capable right-handed options, and if Bowey can prove his worth the Capitals would have one of the strongest right sides in the league with John Carlson and Matt Niskanen ahead of him. Those two and Dmitri Orlov will be earning the lion’s share of the salary on the back end, leaving young players like Bowey and Djoos for the team to rely upon at a relatively low price.
Kuznetsov To Warm Up With Capitals, Likely To Play
6:42: Kuznetsov is on the ice for the Capitals during warmups. Whyno reports that general manager Brian MacLellan said that if he gets through warm-ups, he’ll be in. He’s still a game-time decision.
4:37: It looks like Evgeny Kuznetsov will be considered a game-time decision tonight for Game 3 between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena, but speculation of whether the Washington Capitals leading scorer will play continues. With 25 points in this postseason, the star center has more points than any player in this year’s postseason, but after suffering an apparent wrist injury to his left arm that forced him to leave Game 2 early after a hit from defenseman Brayden McNabb, his status has been up in the air.
However, Kuznetsov participated in an optional skate with the team Friday and then again today for the team’s morning skate, which allowed the Associated Press’ Stephen Whyno to speculate that all signs point to a Kuznetsov return tonight, pointing out that the fact that he participated in line rushes alongside Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson and did not have any visible arm brace.
“It feels better every day,” Kuznetsov said. “In these type of games you always want to play, but you have to do better for your team and you have to understand it doesn’t matter who you are, what kind of player, you have to understand can you help the team or no. That’s the biggest part. You have to understand it and you have to communicate with the coaches, doctors and everybody, can you help the team?”
However, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston adds that while it might look like Kuznetsov is expected to play, don’t assume that. The possibility of subterfuge is a legitimate possibility with the hopes of throwing off the Golden Knights’ game plan for Game 3. Johnston points to Kuznetsov’s offbeat humor when asked if he could help give Washington the advantage for Game 3.
“I don’t know. We’ll see if I’m in,” he said. “I definitely can help in the morning skate, no? More people. Less time you have to go.”
Johnston also points out that while Kuznetsov did participate in all drills, he didn’t look comfortable out there, pointing out that he gritted his teeth when taking shots, which is not standard for the team’s points leader. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until right before the start of Game 3 to find out if he’ll be out there.
Vegas Asked For Tom Wilson, Philipp Grubauer In Exchange For Nate Schmidt
When the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals were confirmed as the two teams headed to the Stanley Cup Finals, the story line shifted to focus on various topics. George McPhee and his impact on both organizations, Marc-Andre Fleury coming back to haunt his old rivals, and Nate Schmidt facing the team who left him unprotected in the expansion draft. Recently, we learned that Capitals’ GM Brian MacLellan had tried to immediately get Schmidt back, but that McPhee had made the ask just too expensive. Today we learn exactly what that ask was, as Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reports that Vegas asked for Tom Wilson and Philipp Grubauer, knowing Washington couldn’t accept.
Indeed, Wilson was a first-round power forward that was still expected to come into his own after some disappointing point totals his first few seasons in the league. That came true this year, as he found a spot alongside Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, recording 14 goals and 35 points before being a key player for the Capitals in the first three rounds. Though he’s been embroiled in disciplinary incidents since day one of the playoffs, his physical style has been critical for Washington as thy battled Columbus, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
Grubauer was coming off another excellent season as the backup to Braden Holtby, and was clearly heading towards a starting gig in the NHL. The 26-year old goaltender even stole Holtby’s job at the end of this season and start of the playoffs, though he would relinquish it after a pair of weak starts. Grubauer was instrumental in getting the team to another Metropolitan Division crown, registering a .923 save percentage in a career-high 35 appearances this season.
Part of the decision to let Schmidt go in the first place may have been financial. He, like Grubauer was a restricted free agent last summer, and though he would eventually sign a relatively inexpensive two-year $4.45MM deal with the Golden Knights, he’s now scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-19 season. With the Caps struggling to fit everyone under the salary cap as it is, handing a big contract to Schmidt next summer may have seemed daunting, especially as they try to re-sign John Carlson in the next few weeks. Interestingly now, after signing Grubauer for just one year, both he and Wilson are restricted free agents once again and will need substantial raises to play next season.
Most of the other examples of teams giving up two assets in the expansion draft to protect just one haven’t worked out well. Erik Haula and Alex Tuch both found success in Vegas after being used to protect Mathew Dumba and others in Minnesota, while Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith have dominated as a big part of the top line. William Karlsson, the league’s breakout superstar, was sent along with a first-round pick in order to protect Josh Anderson and have Vegas select David Clarkson‘s contract. Perhaps the Capitals did well to hold on to their assets and watch just one player walk out the door.
That player has been quite the story for Vegas though, as Schmidt has developed into a top-pairing option for the team. He logged 21 minutes in the opener, and was matched against the Washington first line for much of the game. Should the Golden Knights come out of this series triumphant, it will be due in no small part to the selection of Schmidt, and perhaps the Capitals’ refusal of a simple trade offer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Tom Wilson Avoids Suspension After Game 1 Incident
11:50am: That didn’t take long. Kevin Allen of USA Today reports that there will be no disciplinary hearing for Wilson for the hit on Marchessault.
11:28am: Game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals took place last night, and perhaps not surprisingly Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals was involved in another questionable incident. Wilson appeared to hit Vegas Golden Knights forward Jon Marchessault well after he had distributed the puck, resulting in a skirmish and calls for another suspension. Wilson has already been involved in several incidents in the playoffs, and was suspended for three games after hitting Zach Aston-Reese up high in the second round. According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, the league is still considering what to do about the latest Wilson hit. In a tweet, Wyshynski explains:
As of about 20 min ago, no official word on Tom Wilson from NHL Player Safety. One source told me they see the hit as slightly if not egregiously late, but that lack of head contact (it was shoulder to shoulder) is a big consideration. Personally, would be surprised if suspended.
In this case, there is also another player to consider in any disciplinary decisions. David Perron of the Golden Knights appeared to jump onto the ice after the hit was made, and collided with Alex Ovechkin immediately. Perron was the sixth player on the ice for Vegas, and immediately engaged with the opposing team. Leaving the bench is supposed to be a 10-game suspension, as we saw earlier this year with Luke Witkowski of the Detroit Red Wings. Whether the league will determine that Perron was leaving the bench as a response to the hit will likely decide whether or not he sees any further discipline.
For Wilson, it’s just another example of how he uses his physicality to rile up the opponents. Marchessault appeared to be okay after the hit, which did not connect with his head, but was forced off the ice and into the dressing room for a time. As one of the Golden Knights’ key forwards, missing any time would be a big blow to the team’s hopes for the rest of the series. So too would another Wilson suspension, as the physical power forward has found a home on the Capitals’ top line next to Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Wilson has 12 points in 17 playoff games so far, nearly matching his total (19) from the entire 2016-17 season.
Poll: Was The Tom Wilson Punishment Appropriate?
Last night the hammer came down on Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, when the Department of Player Safety suspended him for three playoff games. That matches Nazem Kadri as the longest suspension of these playoffs, and could potentially remove Wilson from the rest of the second round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The league took several factors into account, including Wilson’s history—he’s already served two suspensions since last season—and Zach Aston-Reese‘ resulting injury. Some have to wonder though if Wilson’s other incidents this postseason also factored into the decision. Wilson was involved in hits on both Brian Dumoulin and Alexander Wennberg that were reviewed by the league, but deemed not worth of supplementary discipline.
In this case, the responses to the suspension have been all over the map. Some believe the hit wasn’t even worthy of a suspension, while others think Wilson should be serving even longer for his repeated physical play.
Now, we’d like to quantify those beliefs. Vote below on whether you think the penalty was too harsh, too light or just right. Explain in the comments how long or short you believe it should have been, or if you think he shouldn’t have been punished at all.
These have been a playoffs full of suspensions, and it doesn’t look like they’ll end here.
Was Tom Wilson's punishment appropriate?
-
Three games is too many 44% (516)
-
Three games is too few 33% (389)
-
Three games is just right 23% (274)
Total votes: 1,179
[Mobile users click here to vote!]
Tom Wilson Suspended Three Games For Illegal Check
The decision is in, and the Department of Player Safety has suspended Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson for three games, following his hit on Zach Aston-Reese last night. Aston-Reese suffered a concussion and broken jaw on the play, while Wilson was not penalized.
In the video from the league explaining the suspension, there were three factors that led to the ban. One was the hit to the head (and that head contact could have been avoided), another was Wilson’s history, while Aston-Reese’s injury also played a role. That last one is particularly interesting as teams don’t often release detailed information about injuries in the postseason so that typically doesn’t come into play.
Wilson has walked a fine line for some of his hits and while he has had quite a few hearings with the league, he hasn’t been banned with regularity. This is his third career suspension (but one of those came in the preseason). This postseason, he has already been under scrutiny a couple of times, one for a hit on Alexander Wennberg of the Blue Jackets and one for a hit on Brian Dumoulin in Game Two of this series.
The Caps lead the best-of-seven matchup two games to one with the next contest set for Thursday night. Wilson will be eligible to return for a potential seventh game of the series if it makes it that far (or will have to miss the opener of the next round if Washington wins the next two).
Tom Wilson To Have Hearing With Department Of Player Safety
After another incident involving contact to the head, Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals will receive a hearing with the Department of Player Safety. Wilson hit Zach Aston-Reese in last night’s game, causing a concussion and broken jaw for the Pittsburgh Penguins forward.
This is not the first incident involving Wilson during these playoffs to be reviewed by the league, after also colliding with Brian Dumoulin and Alexander Wennberg. Neither of those incidents resulted in supplementary discipline.
In this latest incident, as with the others, there is plenty of debate over whether it deserves a suspension. Wilson does make considerable contact with Aston-Reese’s body, driving through him in a manner which would normally be deemed a legal hit. His right foot however does leave the ice, and substantial contact is made with the shorter player’s head. The injury that resulted, as well as recent events, will also likely be taken into account.
Wilson is known for playing right up to (if not over) the line, but was not penalized on the play. He was however suspended twice during the preseason, once for a late hit on St. Louis Blues prospect Robert Thomas, and once for boarding Samuel Blais.
Injury Updates: Bergeron, Wennberg, Oshie
One game after he was inexplicably a late scratch due to a lingering injury, it appears that Boston Bruins star Patrice Bergeron is feeling better. The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa not only reports that Bergeron was a full participant in the team’s morning skate, but that he skated in his regular spot on the first line and first power play unit. Head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media that he anticipates that Bergeron will play in Game Five, as the series returns to Boston with a chance for the Bruins to advance. While Riley Nash filled in admirably for Bergeron, as he has all season, the return of arguably the best defensive forward in hockey history could be the death knell of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- In a crucial Game Five in Washington, the Columbus Blue Jackets are also hoping to get a key center back in the lineup. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline feels there is a “strong indication” that Alexander Wennberg will be back for the Jackets after being knocked out of the first game of the series by Capitals head-hunter Tom Wilson. Portzline adds that head coach John Tortorella will address the media about an hour and half ahead of puck drop and would then confirm Wennberg’s return. Portzline believes that Sonny Milano would be the man to sit if Wennberg is ready to go.
- After missing two of the final three regular season games for the Capitals, it appears T.J. Oshie is still not over his lower-body injury. Oshie has been active and effective in every game of Washington’s first-round series, but the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reports that Oshie has been playing through injury and has been missing practices and morning skates all series long. While head coach Barry Trotz and Oshie’s teammates appreciate his sacrifice, there should be concern that it will catch up to the talented forward. Unfortunately, the Capitals-Blue Jackets series is knotted up at two games apiece and has been extremely competitive, not allowing Oshie any flexibility to sit for a game. If the series runs seven games deep, an extra day of rest seems unlikely as well. If Washington is fortunate enough to advance, Oshie may struggle to keep up his level of play in the next round.
Injury Notes: Wennberg, Beagle, Nash, Wingels
The Columbus Blue Jackets are likely to be without center Alexander Wennberg Sunday when they play their second-round matchup with the Washington Capitals. Wennberg is listed as doubtful, according to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline (subscription required) and did not practice today. He was victim of a hit to the head from Washington’s Tom Wilson in Friday’s 5-4 overtime victory in Game 1. Despite the impact of the hit, the league ruled that they were not going to punish Wilson as the league could not determine whether Wennberg’s head was the main point of impact.
The injury will force the Blue Jackets to adjust their lines as Brandon Dubinsky will move up to the third line to replace Wennberg. It likely means the return of rookie Sonny Milano to the team’s lineup. The 21-year-old has 14 goals this season.
- The Washington Capitals could be getting a little help as the team hopes to get back bottom-line center Jay Beagle back for Game 2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan. Beagle has been day-to-day with an upper-body injury and has missed four games. While he only has 22 points this season, the 32-year-old is one of the team’s top faceoff specialists as he has won 58.5 percent of faceoffs this year, a career high. “Jay is one of those guys that you don’t probably value him as much until you don’t have him,” said Washington coach Barry Trotz via Khurshudyan. A final decision will be made tomorrow, says NBC Sports Tarik El-Bashir, but Beagle said it will be up to coaches and team doctors. The team also expects that T.J. Oshie and defenseman Michal Kempny are both expected back Sunday despite lingering injury issues.
- The Boston Bruins announced that Riley Nash will miss Game 2 today. The veteran has missed five straight games, including Game 1 of their playoff series against Toronto. The 28-year-old had 41 points this season, but suffered an ear injury when he took a puck to ear and needed 40 stitches.
- In the same tweet, the Bruins added that Tommy Wingels is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wingels was hit in the head on a hit by Toronto’s Nazem Kadri, who was suspended three games for the incident. “Feel better than I did yesterday and I’ll come to the game tonight and see how I feel. Decide from there,” Wingels said via the Bruins. If Wingels doesn’t play, rookie Ryan Donato will get the call for Boston.