WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was banned 20 games by the NHL on Wednesday for a blindside hit to the head of an
opponent during a preseason game
Alan Quine Jersey Womens , the latest and most severe punishment in what the league called an “unprecedented” series of suspensions for the physical
player.The right winger’s fourth ban in less than 13 months will cost him nearly
a quarter of the 82-game regular season — only five NHL players have been
suspended longer for on-ice play — and $1.26 million in salary.“I was pretty
surprised. I think it’s unfortunate for Tom that the league is making an example
out of him,” Washington forward T.J. Oshie said. “They set the standards; they
want to get the dirty stuff out of the game.”It was announced just hours before
the reigning Stanley Cup champion Capitals opened their title defense by beating
the visiting Boston Bruins 7-0. Wilson did not play, but he was introduced along
with his teammates during the pregame banner-raising ceremony and skated onto
the ice in uniform.Wilson, a member of Washington’s top line with captain Alex
Ovechkin, was ejected for the hit on St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist in
the second period of the teams’ exhibition game on Sunday.Wilson had an
in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety in New York on
Wednesday.“Everybody probably knows how we feel about it in our room. It’s a
tough thing, since we don’t agree with it, but it was tough for Tom,” Capitals
goalie Braden Holtby said. “I think the biggest thing is we’ve got to support
him through this. It’s unfair and tough for a good player like that. He’s
obviously a huge part of our team.” The video released to explain the punishment
says: “Wilson delivers a high, forceful hit, which makes Sundqvist’s head the
main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable and causes
an injury.” It also admonishes him for taking “a poor angle of approach.”Blues
coach Mike Yeo called the hit “predatory.”Wilson’s suspension, which Capitals
coach Todd Reirden said he expects to be appealed, is the longest handed down by
the league since Raffi Torres of the San Jose Sharks was banned a record 41
games in 2015, also for a preseason hit.The league noted that Wilson “is
considered a repeat offender” — and, indeed
Petr Mrazek Jersey Womens , this is hardly the first time the sixth-year player has been in trouble for the way he has taken out an opponent.He was
suspended twice because of preseason hits a year ago, then had to sit out three
games during the playoffs for a check to the head that broke Pittsburgh Penguins
center Zach Aston-Reese’s jaw and caused a concussion.“In short, including
preseason and postseason games played, this is Wilson’s fourth suspension in his
last 105 games, an unprecedented frequency of suspensions in the historyof the
Department of Player Safety,” the NHL video says.The Capitals see Wilson as a
vital part of the franchise, and general manager Brian MacLellan signed him to a
$31 million, six-year contract this offseason.During a conference call with
reporters in July to discuss his new deal, Wilson spoke about how he needed to
adjust his playing style.“It would be stubborn on my part not to admit that the
game is changing. There is definitely an eye on that part, the physical part of
the game, in the NHL right now. I want to be contributing. I want to be a part
of the success of the group. If I’m not going to adapt and change with the
times, I’m not going to be able to do that. I want to be on the ice and not in
the box or not in the stands,” Wilson said at the time.“That physical part of my
game is always going to be there. That’s the nature of who I am. That’s how I
play the game. I’m not going to let anyone take that away from me,” he added.
“But I have to be smart about it. You’ve got to play within the rules.”Wilson
doubled his career high with 14 goals and set a new mark with 35 points last
season
Jordan Schroeder Jersey Womens , when he was the only NHL forward with 30-plus points and 90-plus penalty minutes, finishing with 187 and a league-high
41 minors. Then he contributed 15 points in 21 games during Washington’s run to
its first championship.“There are certain ways they are calling things. You need
to be aware of how they’re making their calls on suspensions. He’s a big, strong
guy who skates really well. There is a lot of force behind his contact,”
MacLellan said Tuesday, the day before the suspension was issued. “He needs to
be aware of how they’re determining what’s legal and what’s illegal from the
league’s standpoint.” PHILADELPHIA (AP) Claude Giroux carried the Philadelphia
Flyers into the playoffs.The Hart Trophy candidate might be the reason they get
knocked out in the first round if he can’t become the force the Flyers need to
have a chance against the Pittsburgh Penguins.Only six years ago, Giroux was
dubbed ”best in the world” by former coach Peter Laviolette after he posted six
goals and eight assists in six games and a rare playoff series win over the
Penguins. Playing in a major market, Giroux was on his way toward NHL
superstardom.Six years later, the Penguins have won two Stanley Cups, the Flyers
haven’t advanced out of the first round and Giroux’s standing as one of the
NHL’s best has wildly fluctuated: The 30-year-old followed two mediocre seasons
with a career year this season, reaching personal highs in goals (34), assists
(68) and points (102). He added a hat trick on the final day.His production has
again vanished in the playoffs.
