Almost a month ago, in the Washington Capitals’ final preseason game, Tom Wilson delivered a crushing hit on St. Louis Blue forward Oskar Sundqvist, who was injured on the play. Wilson was ejected from the game by the referees, receiving a match penalty for an illegal check to the head.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety dropped the hammer on Wilson, who has a long history of run-ins with the DPS and is considered a “repeat offender.” The NHL Players Association appealed the suspension on Wilson’s behalf, arguing that he should only miss eight games.