Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was suspended yet again today as the NHL Department of Player Safety handed him the sixth suspension of his career. This one came after a wild high-stick on Leafs forward Noah Gregor.
Wilson gets double-minor for high stick on Leafs forward
This suspension is a bit of a weird on for Wilson. We all know that officiating in the NHL is questionable, but in this case they nearly got the call right. The referees clearly saw the play, or at least the aftermath, as they called the Capitals forward for four minutes for high-sticking.
Tom Wilson with the mother of all high sticks 😳
Many were calling for the league to take a look at this play but also recognized that it might be unlikely. The league has overlooked similar instances in the past many times. However, a few correctly predicted that he would get a call from the Department of player safety.
Tom Wilson might get a call from player safety, an intentional swing of your stick at someone's head and being a repeat offender seems suspension worthy although it is a Leafs player so probably will result in no discipline
Wilson offered in-person hearing, subsequently suspended
The NHL did much more than many expected. They made the biggest move possible, offering him an in-person hearing for the incident. This gives the league the option of suspending him for more than five games.
In-Person hearing coming up for Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson for this two-hander on the Maple Leafs' Noah Gregor. Looking at 5+ games; player's full disciplinary history will be considered by Player Safety.
That is exactly what happened when the league suspended him 6 games today.