[News] Caps Tom Wilson back at it

[Travis Munroe]

Anyone claiming secondary hit to the head needs to show me where the head was hit at all. The way he dropped, one would think it was a head shot and he was out for weeks but I believe he returned to the game. With that said, I am not a fan of the injury being relevant to the suspension.

Any other player, no suspension and I think the 5 and being tossed is a good call as you are responsible for your body positioning whether your meant to do it or not. The fact it is Wilson, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 2 game suspension handed out.

It's almost as if he doesn't realize how big and strong he is. Guys brush guys like that all of the time and at most a player falls and its 50/50 on whether the ref calls it. Wilson for whatever reason makes everything look much worse.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by transplant99

The player came back and played.

So did Byfuglien last night.

[bax]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He skated the opposite way the puck was going. It was going right and he cut left through the other guy. If he was cutting off options he should be heading towards the middle of the ice, not to the corner, where the puck used to be.

Yeah, but it’s called anticipation. It’s clear as day the defenseman is corralling the puck and cutting back up the boards.

What is the Gretzky quote? Go to where the puck will be, not where it is?

If he went in the opposition direction of where the puck ended up he would have been out of the play and lost his coverage. This is basic stuff.

[chockfullofgoodness]

Call me crazy but I saw nothing wrong with what Wison did. Hell, I didn't even see a penalty. He just bumped the guy at full speed and happened to hit his head. I saw nothing malicious there. (And yes, I know Wilson's history)

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by bax

Yeah, but it’s called anticipation. It’s clear as day the defenseman is corralling the puck and cutting back up the boards.

What is the Gretzky quote? Go to where the puck will be, not where it is?

If he went in the opposition direction of where the puck ended up he would have been out of the play and lost his coverage. This is basic stuff.

What are you talking about? The puck went around the boards and behind the net. The other way. He was going the opposite of where the puck was going to be.

[bax]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

What are you talking about? The puck went around the boards and behind the net. The other way. He was going the opposite of where the puck was going to be.

Apologies, I meant to say forward in my last post.

Yes the puck is heading in that direction, but it is clear that the New Jersey forward is going to stop the momentum of the puck and turn back up the boards.

Wilson is anticipating here. Hockey players don’t just chase the puck around and ignore the context of other players position.

I agree it’s on Wilson to get out of the way (which I think he attempts to) but he doesn’t fully as he’s trying to get into a defensive position on the half wall as quickly as possible. I think it’s a 2 minute interference penalty. Nothing more.

[FusionX]

He'll deny it but he knew exactly what he was doing. He should be suspended again because at this point, not only does Tom Wilson look stupid, he's making everyone else who tried to get him back early look just as dumb.

Even for those who claim it was unintentional, wasn't that bad of a hit, he didn't mean to blindside/clip the opposing player, blah blah blah, there's no argument to stand on since you would then be obligated to look at previous history to determine whether or not you think his claims of innocence holds any weight. In Wilson's case, we know exactly what that history looks like as he just freaking came back from an originally 20 game suspension!

Honestly, I'd give him another 20 simply because of his history. Maybe he'll learn but at this point, he's shown that he can't/won't.

[Harry Lime]

When he's the biggest, strongest guy on the ice, he needs to be aware of what a wrecking ball he's capable of being. Exactly like Jankowski.

[woob]

Some hot takes in here. Definitely avoidable and totally intentional. Won't be as long as his last suspension, but he'll get one.

[#-3]

i think this one was reckless but not dirty, he was trying to lean around the player as he passed, look at the puck not the play.

The NHL can and should punish recklessness to an extent they are all professionals, but I can't see a long suspension coming out of the particular incident

[Brick]

Not sure why people are worked up about it.

Looked like incidental contact to me. (He attempted to avoid the player)
2 min penalty for interference at most.

Call on the ice was overkill. He should NOT be suspended for that at all.

Edit: When I look at it again, Wilson could have avoided the hit altogether and it was from behind, so maybe he should get 1 or 2 games.

[Nage Waza]

I am pretty sure if I was in Wilson's situation in my bear league (and I am not a pro but a reasonable amateur), I would have easily skated around him, without any issue at all. In my league, it is called respect. What Wilson did is dangerous and disrespectful to someone else's safety.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I am pretty sure if I was in Wilson's situation in my bear league

NSFW!

[habernac]

He’s too stupid to play hockey.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Brick

Looked like incidental contact to me. (He attempted to avoid the player)
2 min penalty for interference at most.

That was what he was trying to sell, but the camera angle on Nsd1's Twitter link is particularly damning of this alibi.

[Geeoff]

I dunno that didn't look that bad. The Devils player was hurt on the play but none of the camera angles show a hit to the head. I think he tried to give a little "how do you do" while skating by, which is 2 minutes for interference.

[sempuki]

TIL interference and hitting from behind aren't even penalities...

[evman150]

I can't believe so many people are defending Wilson and this hit. This hit was about as incidental as a kick in the nuts. The Devils player had had two breakaways and Tom Wilson wanted to teach him a "lesson".

Suspend him 20 games or more. He's a blight on the game.

[カナダ人です]

Originally Posted by timbit

Predatory hit with malicious intent. 15 games minimum.

Seney came back to the game after that Wilson hit.

Baertschi hasn't played a game since this hit from Hyka, which I think looks VERY similar. Hyka got 0 (zero) games:

So, I assume Wilson gets nothing as well, especially for a hit that wasn't even as bad!

https://twitter.com/user/status/1055307828502511617

[topfiverecords]

Tom Wilson's thought process on the play.

"Player facing me has de puck"
"Me smash player"
"Wait, player turning around"
"Puck in corner. Me go get!"
"OH Look, he's #43 like me, cool, smart gu...OOOOPS!"