Tom Wilson opts not to file for arbitration

At 5pm, the NHL’s mandatory deadline for players to file for arbitration passed.

Restricted free agent Tom Wilson, the Capitals last remaining high profile unsigned player, opted to not file.

Per Wikipedia, the decision allows Wilson the ability to continue receiving offers from other teams and potentially sign an offer sheet.

If Wilson were to sign an offer from another NHL club (which is unlikely), the Capitals would have the right to match the contract or not. If they don’t match (in this unlikely hypothetical situation), the Caps would get draft pick compensation from the other team dependent on Tom’s new salary.

Both Capitals’ general manager Brian MacLellan and Wilson’s agent have expressed a desire to see Tom sign a longterm contract with Washington.

“We’re talking to his people. I have a call scheduled with them today,” MacLellan said. It’s a big priority. Tom’s a big part of our team, a big part of what we got going and our playoff success. So, he’s number one right now. I would like [a] long-term [deal], but we’ll see what his representatives want to do. I’d prefer to keep him around as long as we can.”

Capitals’ forward Liam O’Brien, the team’s only other arbitration eligible player, elected to file, joining 43 other players league wide. Madison Bowey, who was not eligible for arbitration, remains the team’s final unsigned restricted free agent.

According to the NHLPA, the deadline for Club-Elected Salary Arbitration notification is July 6, 2018 at 5 pm. Salary Arbitration hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20 to Aug. 4, 2018.

Here’s the full list of NHL players who filed for arbitration.

Anaheim Ducks

Brandon Montour

Calgary Flames

Garnet Hathaway
Mark Jankowski
Brett Kulak
Elias Lindholm
David Rittich

Carolina Hurricanes

Trevor van Riemsdyk

Colorado Avalanche

Patrik Nemeth
Matt Nieto

Dallas Stars

Mattias Janmark
Devin Shore
Gemel Smith

Florida Panthers

MacKenzie Weegar

Minnesota Wild

Mathew Dumba
Jason Zucker

Montreal Canadiens

Joel Armia
Phillip Danault

Nashville Predators

Miikka Salomaki

New Jersey Devils

Blake Coleman
Stefan Noesen

New York Islanders

Brock Nelson

New York Rangers

Kevin Hayes
Brady Skjei
Ryan Spooner
Jimmy Vesey

Ottawa Senators

Cody Ceci
Mark Stone

Philadelphia Flyers

Taylor Leier
Alex Lyon

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jamie Oleksiak

San Jose Sharks

Chris Tierney

St. Louis Blues

Joel Edmundson
Dmitrij Jaskin
Oskar Sundqvist

Vancouver Canucks

Troy Stecher

Vegas Golden Knights

William Karlsson
Colin Miller
Tomas Nosek

Washington Capitals

Liam O’Brien

Winnipeg Jets

Marko Dano
Connor Hellebuyck
Adam Lowry
Brandon Tanev
Jacob Trouba

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk