Metropolitan Notes: Wilson, Cousins, Schenn, Teravainen
After being predominantly a fourth line physical presence through the first three years of his career, Washington right winger Tom Wilson is looking to redefine himself as more of an all-around player, writes Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. The Capitals made Wilson their first round pick (16th overall) back in 2012 but he has primarily been known for his hitting and fighting and not the scorer he was back in junior where he had 91 points in 125 OHL games with Plymouth.
Considering the role he had as a junior-aged rookie (he had more fights than points by a 14-10 margin), some members of Washington’s front office have expressed some regret in rushing him to the NHL as an energy player instead of allowing him to hone his all-around game at the junior level.
Wilson is hardly the first high draft pick to start out as a fourth line tough guy and then develop more of an offensive game over the years as both Milan Lucic and Wayne Simmonds have had career paths like that. As Wilson does that, he is passing up on more opportunities to fight (his fight totals have dropped each year) and in turn, he is spending a lot less time on the penalty box. He’s on pace for 82 PIMS this season and while that total may seem high, his career low in that regard is 151 which came in his rookie year.
Head coach Barry Trotz hasn’t hesitated to trust Wilson more this season as he is averaging over 13 minutes of playing time per game (a career high) while he also is playing a regular role on the penalty kill. While that hasn’t translated into offensive success just yet as he has just a single goal in 21 games, the fact that he is playing a bigger role should pay dividends down the road even if the production isn’t there yet.
More from the Metropolitan Division:
- The Flyers appear to be moving Nick Cousins back to the left wing, notes Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Cousins has played the last four games down the middle but has struggled at the faceoff dot, winning just 13 of 53 draws, a success rate of just 24.5%. Brayden Schenn, a natural center but a player who has spent most of his career on the left side, will move back to the middle and play on the second line. Sean Couturier, Philadelphia’s regular second line pivot, is out for another three-to-five weeks with a sprained MCL.
- Teuvo Teravainen is getting the first shot at replacing Jordan Staal (concussion) as Carolina’s top line center but as Michael Smith of the Hurricanes’ website reports in a reader mailbag, the team envisions him the 22 year old Finnish forward at that position long-term. Head coach Bill Peters likes his two-way game and feels that will allow him to play down the middle successfully: “He’s very good defensively, and that’s what allows him to play center and have the coach’s trust, so I can play him against anybody. … He’s a playmaking center. We’re excited about seeing him there for the foreseeable future.” Teravainen is in his fourth NHL season but short of a small stint at center last year with Chicago, he has spent the bulk of his career on the left wing. He’s off to a decent start this season with five goals and five assists through 22 games while averaging a career high in ice time per game at 15:37.
Injury Notes: Duchene, Andersen, Johansson, Wilson
Colorado forward Matt Duchene played through a separated shoulder for Team Canada at the recently completed World Cup of Hockey, writes Terry Frei of the Denver Post. The injury was sustained on September 13th, four days before the opening round of the tournament.
Duchene noted to reporters that it was a Grade One separation which equates to a small displacement of the joint. He practiced with the Avalanche for the first time today since returning from the tournament and while it doesn’t sound like he is fully healed, he isn’t likely to miss any time from it either:
“It’s better. It’s a little stiff in the mornings, but once I get warmed up, I don’t feel it. Obviously, the first time you go out, you’re a little tentative on it, but after that, it’s just fine. I feel good.”
After a discussion with new head coach Jared Bednar, Duchene expects to start the season on the right wing but wouldn’t be surprised if he still spends time at center, his natural position.
[Related: Avalanche Depth Chart]
Other injury news from around the league:
- After suffering an upper body injury while representing Denmark at the Olympic Qualifying tournament last month, Toronto goaltender Frederik Andersen will make his preseason debut with the team on Tuesday night, reports the Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. Head coach Mike Babcock wouldn’t confirm how much action he’ll see but noted that Andersen will play at least one period. The Leafs acquired the 27 year old netminder from Anaheim back in June for first and second round draft picks and immediately signed him to a five year, $25MM contract. Assuming there are no setbacks tomorrow, he should be on pace to start the season next week.
- Capitals winger Marcus Johansson skated on his own before practice today but is expected to miss a few days, notes Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. He suffered a lower body injury in Sunday’s preseason contest against the Islanders. In the same report, right winger Tom Wilson participated with limited contact at practice as he continues to recover from an upper body injury suffered last week.
Capitals Re-Sign Tom Wilson
Washington announced they have re-signed pending restricted free agent Tom Wilson to a two year, $4MM deal. TSN’s Bob McKenzie was first with the report. Wilson will make $1.75MM in 2016-17 and $2.25MM in 2017-18. That sets up his qualifying offer to be $2.25MM in the 2018 offseason.
Wilson was the Capitals’ 1st round pick (16th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he played in all 82 regular season games, collecting seven goals and 16 assists with a team-high 163 PIMS (more than three times the amount any of of his teammates had) while averaging 12:54 per game. He also finished tenth in the league in hits with a career high 253.
Wilson also added an assist in 12 postseason contests while logging 12:01 per night.
In his career, Wilson has played in 231 games, all with the Caps, scoring 14 goals and 36 assists with 486 PIMS. He should continue to play in Washington’s bottom six while providing plenty of physical play.
Snapshots: Las Vegas, Johansson, Ladd, Okposo
The hockey world was abuzz with the confirmation that Las Vegas will in fact be the benefactor of expansion, making it the first of the big four sports in the city. According to Associated Press writer Greg Beacham, the fact that the team is bid out by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment lends credence to the thought that the nickname will in fact be the Black Knights. Beacham also points out that despite the financial woes seen in Arizona, the NHL is confident that hockey can flourish in the southwest.
Other news around hockey:
- Marcus Johansson and the Washington Capitals appear ready to battle over money reports Chuck Gormley at CSN Mid Atlantic. Johansson had another stellar season for the Capitals, registering 46 points in the regular season and adding 7 more in the playoffs. But Gormley writes that it might not be enough for Capitals GM Brian MacLellan, who believes a hometown discount won’t happen. Gormley also points out that Johansson is a valuable commodity, playing both wings and center for head coach Barry Trotz. Johansson isn’t the only one up for a contract, as defenseman Dmitry Orlov, and forwards Tom Wilson, and Michael Latta headline the restricted free agents the Capitals must re-sign.
- ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun penned that unrestricted free agent forward Andrew Ladd is most likely moving on from the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old winger was dealt to the Blackhawks in February but knew the Hawks had salary cap restrictions. While Ladd provided a spike in production, scoring 8 goals and 12 points in his return to Chicago, the Blackhawks were bounced by the Blues in 7 games in the first round of the playoffs. Ladd notched a goal and an assist in the seven games. LeBrun writes that Ladd is looking to join a contender, and is also considering his family’s wishes on where he goes next.
- LeBrun also reported that New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo is all but headed to free agency. The 28-year-old winger was a major contributor with 64 points (22-42) and will be a hot commodity once the window opens for free agents. LeBrun points out that Okposo’s age and scoring acumen are the main reasons teams will chase after him in July.