Hard-hitting Caps forward Tom Wilson is reportedly due to have a friendly chat with the Department of Player Safety sometime soon. From 30-dimensional thinker Elliotte Friedman:
The NHL’s Player Safety Department met with several repeat offenders in an attempt to reign them in. One was Zac Rinaldo, who escaped suspension a week earlier for hitting Sean Couturier, much to the department’s chagrin. While in Arizona during camp, Chris Pronger spoke with Steve Downie and John Scott. New Jersey’s Jordin Tootoo was offered the opportunity after being fined for a dangerous trip. Now on the radar? Washington’s Tom Wilson. Several teams have complained about his hits. As of yet, no meeting. But it’s been requested.
[Emphasis added.]
Who do you think complained? It’s gotta be Brayden Schenn, right?
For the record, Wilson has never been suspended for a dirty hit, but he’s had DOPS hearings and come close to supplementary discipline a few times. He’s no Zac Rinaldo, not even close, but he has a well-earned reputation for big hits.
Most famous was this charge on Brayden Schenn, for which Wilson later apologized and narrowly escaped suspension:
He injured Lubomir Visnovsky in the playoffs.
He knocked the wind out of Stephane Robidas:
He even snowed a little diabetic girl!
Many of those hits were clean and even laudable — but not all of them. A fast skater with a big body, Wilson hurts people. Maybe DOPS just wants to make sure he doesn’t hurt them too badly.
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