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Capitals sign Tom Wilson to seven-year contract extension worth $6.5 million per season

By Ian Oland and Peter Hassett

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August 4, 2023 10:41 am

The Washington Capitals announced Friday that they signed forward Tom Wilson to a seven-year, $45.5 million extension worth an annual average value of $6.5 million. The contract kicks in 2024-25 after his current deal expires, and ends after the 2030-31 season.

Wilson, 29, becomes the only Capitals player with a contract extending past 2028.

The contract is structured to dissuade any chance of a buyout in the future with increased signing bonuses in the final years. Wilson also received a 15-team no-trade clause in years one through four and a 10-team NTC in years five through seven.

“Tom possesses all the intangibles needed to win in this League and we are extremely pleased to sign him to a long-term contract, giving him the opportunity to finish his career in a Capitals’ uniform,” GM Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Tom has improved every facet of his game through his drive and competitiveness. We feel his work ethic and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to our organization for years to come.”

“Feeling extremely honored today as I get to sign an extension with the city that I’ve called home for the last 10 years,” Wilson added on X. “Being a Cap means so much to me and I can’t wait to continue to compete and leave it all out there with this team. Thanks to the Caps family for the support!”

The Wilson extension comes after the right wing missed half of last season while recovering from an ACL injury suffered during the 2022 playoffs. Upon his return, Wilson scored 13 goals in 33 games.

The Toronto native was subjected to trade rumors throughout the summer despite Wilson and the Capitals both publicly stating that the two sides wanted to work out an extension. After the NHL Draft concluded, MacLellan admitted that “we’re constantly telling people we’re not” trading him.

“I’d like Tom to finish up in Washington,” MacLellan said on Breakdown Day. “He’s been a big part of our culture, our group. He’s consistently gotten better throughout the years. We’re going to do everything we can to sign him.

“He was one of our better players down the stretch,” MacLellan continued. “I really liked him and Strome together. I thought they were two players that played consistently well down the stretch when we weren’t as a team playing well.”

Wilson was just as effusive with his comments.

“I’m not a guy that’s going to play hardball and say that I don’t want to be here,” Wilson said. “Everyone knows I want to be here. No matter what happens, I want to help this city win games.”

Now Wilson has a retirement contract with the only NHL team he’s ever known and will likely lead the team into the future past Alex Ovechkin’s retirement.

Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:

Capitals Re-sign Tom Wilson

Seven-year extension keeps forward in Washington through 2030-31 season

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Tom Wilson to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Wilson’s extension will begin with the 2024-25 season and will carry an average annual value of $6.5 million. Wilson is under contract with Washington through the 2030-31 season.

“Tom possesses all the intangibles needed to win in this League and we are extremely pleased to sign him to a long-term contract, giving him the opportunity to finish his career in a Capitals’ uniform,” said MacLellan. “Throughout his career, Tom has improved every facet of his game through his drive and competitiveness. We feel his work ethic and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to our organization for years to come.”

Wilson, 29, recorded 22 points (13g, 9a) in 33 games (0.67 P/GP) with the Capitals last season, a 54-point pace over 82 games. Despite missing 49 games in 2022-23, Wilson ranked tied for fifth on the team in goals and power-play goals (4). The 6’4”, 220-pound forward has recorded 295 points (128g, 167a) in 680 career games with Washington.

During the 2021-22 season, Wilson set career highs in goals (24), assists (28), points (52), power-play points (10) and ice time per game (18:35) in 78 games played. The Toronto, Ontario native ranked tied for second on the Capitals in goals and fourth in assists and points. In addition, Wilson’s 0.67 points-per-game rate in 2021-22 was the second highest of his career (2020-21: 0.70 P/GP). Wilson also set a career low for penalty minutes in an 82-game season (98 PIMs) in 2021-22 and his 240 hits ranked tied for 11th in the NHL. Wilson was just one of two players to finish the season with 200-plus hits and 50-plus points (also Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk). Wilson represented the Capitals at the 2022 NHL All-Star game in Las Vegas, his first career All-Star Game selection.

Wilson, a three-time 20-goal scorer, has scored 80 even-strength goals since 2017-18, which ranks second on the Capitals in that span (Alex Ovechkin: 176). In addition, Wilson is the only Capitals forward to average at least 1:30 of power play ice time per game (1:30) and shorthanded ice time per game (1:49) over the last six seasons.

During the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run, Wilson recorded 15 points (5g, 10a) in 21 games, establishing career playoff highs in goals, assists and points. Wilson registered a point in 11 of his 21 playoff games, including four multi-point efforts and three points (2g, 1a) in Washington’s five Stanley Cup Final games against the Vegas Golden Knights. In 83 career playoff games, Wilson has recorded 31 points (14g, 17a).

Since making his NHL regular-season debut on Oct. 1, 2013, Wilson ranks seventh in the NHL in hits (2,039) and leads Capitals forwards in blocked shots (400). Wilson ranks third in franchise history in penalty minutes (1,299) and tied for ninth in shorthanded goals (7).

Wilson was drafted by Washington in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft. Among his draft class, Wilson ranks third in games played, sixth in goals and seventh in points.

Headline photo: Alan Dobbins/RMNB

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