This time around, Tom Wilson’s preseason suspension won’t stay in the preseason.
The Washington Capitals’ polarizing, hard-hitting winger received a four-game suspension for boarding Sammy Blais of the St. Louis Blues. This comes shortly after Wilson received a two-game preseason suspension for a different hit.
The key, though, is that this time he’ll miss time that “matters” and also lose salary. The NHL explained that there wasn’t really an opportunity for a clean, shoulder-to-shoulder hit in this specific case. His status as a repeat offender also came into play:
Wilson, 23, will miss Thursday’s season-opener at the Ottawa Senators, Saturday’s home-opener against the Montreal Canadiens, an Oct. 9 road game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and an Oct. 11 home contest vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. His first game of eligibility is a road game against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 13.
The suspension costs Wilson $97,560.96.