Tom Wilson is in New York today to meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about his 20-game suspension, which is costing him nearly $1.3 million of his 2018-19 salary.
The appeal, according to Bob McKenzie, began at 11 am.
Sportsnet’s John Shannon reported that it was still ongoing as of 4:45 pm.
As of 4:45 et. Hearing continues. https://t.co/UxlXZdGW0d
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) October 18, 2018
Unless there were long breaks for lunch and visits to the bathroom, a five-hour and forty-five minute appeal seems like a really long time to discuss a preseason head hit that resulted in a match penalty. Regardless of where you fall on Tom’s intent, the hit was not legal and the player injured in the bodycheck, Oskar Sundqvist, is still not playing.
Perhaps, the league and the player are fervently discussing the unprecedented severity of the suspension due to the 20-game ban being Wilson’s fourth overall since the preseason last year.
Hockey Twitter, as it’s wont to do, was nice enough to put in perspective just how long this appeal is lasting.
Since you were all wondering, Oliver Stone's JFK is 3.5 hours long.
— Good Tweet Pete 🌮 (@peterhassett) October 18, 2018
They could have watched the entirety of The Return of the King extended edition
— Chris Cerullo (@CJC_95) October 18, 2018
I've had relationships that didn't last that long!
— MaryElizabeth Sperry (@ChiefElfMary) October 18, 2018
It's a long process to erect a woodshed in NYC.
— Joe LaCour (@joecct77) October 18, 2018
As far as my wife is concerned, his appeal is going on four years.
— Jeremy Corby (@rabbitgtibbar) October 18, 2018
Bettman airing his grievances like pic.twitter.com/wWdRssdUvj
— Joe Fruscione (@Joe_Fru) October 18, 2018
