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Just before the Washington Capitals finish up their preseason ahead of the start of the 2018-19 season their forward Tom Wilson has been offered an in-person hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety after yet another controversial hit from the enforcer. No date or time has been announced.
Wilson’s latest questionable hit occurred on Sunday as he decked St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. Wilson was ejected for the hit and Sundqvist lay motionless for an anxious moment before being helped off the ice.
Tom Wilson crushes Oskar Sundqvist. Wilson has been ejected. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/RuNKjC2fFi
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) September 30, 2018
Wilson was suspended three times last season for controversial hits, including for a three-game suspension during the second round of the playoffs of the Capitals’ Stanley Cup run for a hit on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese, who suffered a broken jaw. Coincidentally, the other two suspensions were for hits on Blues players. One during the preseason for an illegal hit on Robert Thomas and a four-game suspension during the regular season for a check on Sammy Bias.
Wilson signed a six-year deal worth $31 million this summer to remain with the Capitals. Last season, he played on the Caps’ top-line alongside Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, posting career-highs of 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points, and a plus-10 rating.
A suspension could prevent the Wilson from participating during the season opener and Stanley Cup banner raising on Wednesday when the Caps host the Boston Bruins.
