Photo: CBS Sports
After a controversial hit in the Capitals’ final preseason tilt yesterday, right wing Tom Wilson has once again come under scrutiny and faces potential supplementary discipline as a result. The Pittsburgh Penguins are no stranger to Wilson’s physical play, as forward Zach Aston-Reese was injured in the teams’ second round playoff series several months ago. After Wilson’s latest hit, some of the Penguins’ players, including captain Sidney Crosby were asked about Wilson.
Crosby, who is one of the most influential players in the game, stated his believe that Wilson shouldn’t hit players the way he did to the St. Louis Blues’ Oskar Sundqvist.
Sidney Crosby on Tom Wilson: “There’s no reason to hit like that.”
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 1, 2018
Sidney Crosby on Tom Wilson’s hit and suspension: “We talk about this a lot with him. He still chooses to make those hits. I’m sure the league is well-aware of that.” pic.twitter.com/z4cSl5xc9S
— Andrew Rush (@andrewrush) October 1, 2018
Veteran forward Matt Cullen, who rejoined the Penguins this past summer, also chimed in on his thoughts on a possible suspension for Wilson, deflecting the question to the league:
Matt Cullen on a possible Tom Wilson suspension: “It’s up to the league to make a statement.”
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 1, 2018
Fans had their own response to the Pens’ comments, particularly Crosby, who has not faced discipline from the league in his career despite a number of questionable incidents in his career:
*Glass house* pic.twitter.com/Kei6dNN8qb
— Richmond John (@RichmondJohn804) October 1, 2018
By Michael Fleetwood
Why is Pittsburgh talk8mg about a Caps-Blues game? Doesn’t nothing happen in that town worth talking about?
Damn right.
First what would Crybaby know about hitting? And of course Pittsburg wants Wilson suspended. They play the Caps this week and don’t want to have to face Wilson.
Wilson has to stop. That hit was stupid. There was no reason for it in a preseason game. Why he continues to do it is beyond me. I’ve been Caps fan since 81, it isn’t the 80s anymore.
1st off, its a meaningless pre season game, but there is no place for ‘head’ hits in any sport. And for those who think that the hit was OK, you’re sick.. Have you ever been hit in the head and concussed like that? Maybe you need to be, so you can feel what its like. Wilson needs to be hit like that, blind sided, so he feels what its like. There is no need for players like him in Hockey, or any sport. Washington management and even their players should be pissed off at him also. Sure doesn’t give their team or name any good Press… Yes, I’ve been concussed, not on a hockey rink, but a softball field. Headaches, nausea for weeks. NOT FUN!!!!!
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THAT’s your best example of a Crosby “questionable incident?”
How is a Crosby facewash even remotely the equivalent of a potentially career ending blindside check the head? Besides, if you hold me down like Subban was there, you bet I’m going to try to push myself up using your face. The NHL doesn’t suspend for dirty, chippy play. You see stuff like that a dozen times a game, in the corners, in front of the net, during scrums…the League and the players don’t want that stuff out of the game, they want the big hits to the head out of the game.
My question is why the NHLPA is appealing Wilson’s suspension instead of defending Sundqvist’s interests and the safety of other players. This looks bad.