The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced on Saturday evening that Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended for seven games for boarding defenseman Brandon Carlo in the team’s 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Friday. Wilson will be eligible to return on Saturday, March 20 against the New York Rangers.
While Carlo was battling for the puck with Capitals forward Jakub Vrana, Wilson delivered a high hit on him. He was not assessed a penalty on the play.
Before this suspension, Wilson was suspended four times previously but not since October 3, 2018. His previous suspension was 20 games long. Wilson was offered an in-person hearing, which usually hints that a suspension of at least five games, before his last suspension.
Wilson has the right to appeal within 48 hours to the commissioner. Also for any suspension of six games or more, a player has right to appeal to an independent arbitrator (after appeal to commissioner).
An independent arbitrator reduced Wilson’s 20-game suspension for an illegal check to the head on Oskar Sundqvist in 2018 preseason to 14 games. Wilson had already served 16 games by time of ruling, so he was reimbursed pay for two games.
Under the CBA, and based on his average annual salary, Wilson will forfeit $311,781.61. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The 26-year-old had the option to waive it.
Carlo was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance after the hit on Friday. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy called the hit “predatory,” “completely unnecessary,” and “predatory.” Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette said after the game that he did not get any notice about a possible hearing for Wilson. Bruins forward Brad Marchand said during an intermission interview that the hit was a “bulls*** cheap shot.”
Wilson, who is not considered a repeat offender as his last suspension was 29 months ago, has recorded seven goals, 17 points, and a +1 rating in 21 games this season.
The Capitals will visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington).
By Harrison Brown
Was there any explanation?
That seems way more severe than warranted.
The video explanation was added (above)
excuse my french but that’s bullshit, the hit wasn’t bad or against the rules in any way, shape or form. This is no different than when OV got suspended for being too physical.
Grade A 🐂💩
1/8 of the regular season for a questionable hit is too much.
Waaaaaay too much. DoP(e)S have no legitimate guidelines on how they conduct business. This was probably decided at a dart board in a Toronto pub.
That explanation from the league is rought with errors and conflicting reasoning. It’s a shame a sport of this size is governed by such a faulty entity.
Charlie Brown’s teacher….
For all the “Experts” saying it was “legal” hit re watch above clip,as Wilson approaches player in ? Is tied up in battle with JV,& also in last stride Wilson leaves his feet to give hit!! 7 games is a joke,for a league wanting to clean up Headshots it a piss poor message to say will give repeat offender & player with history of said hit the Minimum! Like to ask Caps fans serious question, if that was Ovie or Backstrom that were taken off ice or to hospital as a result of similar hit would you “accept” league minimum? No I guarantee you’d be asking for remainder of regular season & playoffs!! Only reason it was minimum,it wasn’t “Big Name” player on Bruins! Somebody years ago had great idea,player who commits offense sits as long as player who was injuried is out of line-up!!
Scottlew73 what the hell are you talking about? League minimum? It’s 7 games, that’s a hell of suspension. Please look back at suspensions of 5+ games and see if this compares. It’s doesn’t…a game or two.
Have to agree. 7 games is 1/8th of the 56-game regular season. That’s a whopping suspension for a hit.
That’s a terrible idea (your last sentence) as that would give the offended team the power of the judgement. The league structure has it correct in how they hand out punishments it’s just interpreting their own rules where they have fallen short sometimes. Since you are probably a Bruins fan, what if Carlo will be back in 3 or 4 games? You think that’s a good punishment for Wilson instead of the 7 they have given?
Bäckström was given a concussion by Anders Lee in the playoffs last year with an unnecessary hit and guess what ? League didn’t look at it and so no suspension or fine. Caps don’t get protections like other teams. Tanev on Kuzy 2 years ago. Kuzy concussed, league no suspension or fine. Oshie broken collarbone 2 years ago by Fogele of the Canes, our for the playoffs, no fine or suspension…do you want me to go on?
Or Kamarov hit on Eller recently. Not even a hearing.
https://youtu.be/Lyipl_lJnTM
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Appeal it. According to what I have read, they are not following their own rulebook.
I hope he/team does and I expect they will. Maybe get it reduced a game or two maybe.
It’s worked before. Don’t see any issues with doing so.
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