Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended for 20 games for an illegal head check on St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist.
Thoughts from the media
Emily Kaplan: “The $1,260,162.60 Tom Wilson must forfeit due to his 20 game suspension is by far the biggest monetary penalty over last three years. Next closet is Dennis Wideman, who surrendered $564,516.20 in his 2016 20 game suspension for “physical abuse of official”
John Lu: “For those who raised the point of Wilson’s signing bonus this season, he will keep it. However, forfeited salary is based on AAV, meaning he will fork over $1.26, even though his base salary this season is $1.1M.”
Pete Blackburn: “The NHL said Wilson has achieved “an unprecedented frequency of suspensions in the history of the league’s Department of Player Safety” in their official video. Amazing.”
AJ Haefele: “Like most everyone else, can’t complain about 20 games for Wilson. He’s gotten away with his predatory nonsense for long enough. Hopefully he learns and figures out how to be an effective NHL player without consistently endangering the health of other players”
Brian McNally: “The @NHLPlayerSafety video emphasizes one big point on the Tom Wilson suspension video. Oskar Sundqvist WAS eligible to be checked crossing to the middle of the ice. But it was an avoidable hit for Wilson. Sundqvist did not move or shift body position late.”
JJ Regan: “The conversation the last few days on Wilson has been how much he needs to change his game bc you don’t want him to lose too much of that physicality. That conversation is now over. 20 games is a clear message from the league to change his game or else.”
Bruce Arthur: “No lie: THIS is what deterrence actually looks like”
Michael Traikos: “NHL suspends Tom Wilson for 20 games. Sounds a bit extreme, but I’d argue that the hit was predatory (and unnecessary). Good on the league for taking a strong stance.”
Matt Larkin: “Wow. Strong move by the DOPS with the 20-gamer for Wilson. He’s very clearly in the Raffi Torres doghouse now. Next one will be half a season.”
Adam Gretz: Tom Wilson didn’t get suspended 20 games because of this particular hit. He got suspended 20 games because he keeps doing things to get himself suspended and hasn’t yet received the message. If he doesn’t now, he never will.
