Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson was suspended for six games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for a high-sticking incident in the third period of Wednesday’s loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, costing the team one of its core leaders for a key stretch of the season.
After laying a hit on Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor along the boards in Washington’s defensive zone, Wilson pulled his stick back and swung it forward, hitting Gregor across the face. Wilson was assessed a double minor penalty for high-sticking and was offered an in-person hearing. The in-person hearing made a suspension of six games or longer an option; the maximum suspension from a phone hearing is five games.
According to the video explaining the decision, Wilson asserted in the hearing Friday afternoon that he didn’t intend to strike Gregor in the face. While the Department of Player Safety acknowledged that assertion, it didn’t change its view of the play, terming it “extremely reckless.”
“It is important to note that Wilson is solely in control of his actions throughout this play,” the video stated. “While we acknowledge Wilson’s assertion that he did not mean to strike Gregor in the face, the fact remains that Wilson’s stick is drawn back behind him, then swung forcefully and recklessly into his opponent. This is not a case in which two players are fully engaged and influencing each other’s actions, nor it is it a case in which a player is off balance and his stick swings during an attempt to regain his footing.
“Wilson’s actions on this play are fully under his own control, irresponsible and not related to any sort of legitimate action. He is accountable for the dangerous result of the play, which is a direct and forceful blow to an opponent’s head by a player with a substantial track record of supplemental discipline.”
The six-game suspension means Wilson will be eligible to return for Washington against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 4. Wilson has the option to appeal his suspension to Commissioner Gary Bettman. Because the suspension is six games or more, Wilson could subsequently appeal his suspension to a neutral arbitrator; he would remain suspended pending the outcome if he chose to appeal.
This is the first time Wilson has been suspended since March 2021, but the department said his lengthy disciplinary history — five suspensions and three fines in his career — played a role in the length of the ban. Per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, based on Wilson’s average annual salary of $5,166,667, he will forfeit $161,458 while suspended.
The Capitals, who are still clinging to hopes of making the playoffs, will be without a key player for a big chunk of their final 14 games.
“It’s a huge impact,” Capitals Coach Spencer Carbery said. “I don’t need to go into length about what he provides our team from a leadership standpoint, veteran presence standpoint, what he does on the ice. Huge absence in our lineup.”
“It’s huge. One of our best players, drives the bus in a lot of different situations,” center Nic Dowd added. “He’s a leader, a voice in the locker room. He’s been good on our power play, a reliable, consistent player. We’re going to miss him, but we have guys that can fill in. It’s obviously going to be challenging, but we’ve got to move forward. We’ll be excited as soon as we can possibly get him back, for sure.”