The NHL's Department of Player Safety has suspended Tom Wilson for 4 games for boarding St. Louis Blues forward Samuel Blais.
Why we agree:
After serving a two game suspension the week before for another borderline hit on an unsuspecting player, Blais' teammate Robert Thomas, this result was inevitable. And while it is important that Wilson maintains the physical nature of his game, driving opponents mad, and drawing lots of penalties, it is imperative that he stays on the right side of the line more often than not.
We take no issue with Wilson sitting in the penalty box, but we take issue with him endangering his team's success by earning suspensions. This is compounded by the salary cap situation, as Wilson's four game salary of $97,560.96 will still count, and the Capitals will more than likely carry an additional forward than they otherwise would have. A cap tight team cannot afford stupid mistakes.
Why we disagree:
Looking closely at the hit, one cannot help but conclude that if Blais does not misplay the puck or stutter step, he would have turned up the ice to clear the zone. In this context, Wilson was right to come hard and fast at Blais to cut off the angle and cause a turnover. After Blais fumbled the puck, Wilson attempted to change his angle of approach, but since he plays in the NHL, he still finished his check. By virtue of Wilson attempting to effect the play, and not seeking to impart punishment on an unsuspecting player, this was not a predatory hit, and therefore a suspension should not have been levied.
Further, if Blais had "not seen him coming", that is not Wilson's fault. At some point, the player getting hit needs to be held to account for protecting himself and being aware of who is on the ice. The third line, consisting of Brett Connolly, Lars Eller, and Wilson, is not exactly known for its dainty play. Blais needed to have his head on a swivel, doubly so when holding the puck in the defensive zone against this trio.
Our opinion:
Given Wilson's repeat offender status, and the nature of two questionable hits taking place with so little time between, we feel that a suspension was appropriate. However, a 4 game suspension is patently absurd, as it serves as a punishment for past indiscretions unrelated to either his R.O. status or this hit.
Point: In 2015 Zac Rinaldo, a repeat offender who had been suspended twice previously, inflicted a similar hit on Kris Letang, and only received a 1 game suspension. Wilson's hit was not worse; therefore a similar punishment should have been levied.
Why we agree:
After serving a two game suspension the week before for another borderline hit on an unsuspecting player, Blais' teammate Robert Thomas, this result was inevitable. And while it is important that Wilson maintains the physical nature of his game, driving opponents mad, and drawing lots of penalties, it is imperative that he stays on the right side of the line more often than not.
We take no issue with Wilson sitting in the penalty box, but we take issue with him endangering his team's success by earning suspensions. This is compounded by the salary cap situation, as Wilson's four game salary of $97,560.96 will still count, and the Capitals will more than likely carry an additional forward than they otherwise would have. A cap tight team cannot afford stupid mistakes.
Why we disagree:
Looking closely at the hit, one cannot help but conclude that if Blais does not misplay the puck or stutter step, he would have turned up the ice to clear the zone. In this context, Wilson was right to come hard and fast at Blais to cut off the angle and cause a turnover. After Blais fumbled the puck, Wilson attempted to change his angle of approach, but since he plays in the NHL, he still finished his check. By virtue of Wilson attempting to effect the play, and not seeking to impart punishment on an unsuspecting player, this was not a predatory hit, and therefore a suspension should not have been levied.
Further, if Blais had "not seen him coming", that is not Wilson's fault. At some point, the player getting hit needs to be held to account for protecting himself and being aware of who is on the ice. The third line, consisting of Brett Connolly, Lars Eller, and Wilson, is not exactly known for its dainty play. Blais needed to have his head on a swivel, doubly so when holding the puck in the defensive zone against this trio.
Our opinion:
Given Wilson's repeat offender status, and the nature of two questionable hits taking place with so little time between, we feel that a suspension was appropriate. However, a 4 game suspension is patently absurd, as it serves as a punishment for past indiscretions unrelated to either his R.O. status or this hit.
Point: In 2015 Zac Rinaldo, a repeat offender who had been suspended twice previously, inflicted a similar hit on Kris Letang, and only received a 1 game suspension. Wilson's hit was not worse; therefore a similar punishment should have been levied.
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