In an alternate universe, Tom Wilson would be a Philadelphia Flyer. The source? Tom Wilson.
The 2018 Stanley Cup Champion revealed the news while doing an interview with Rachel Nichols on Monumental Sports Network’s “Hometown with Rachel Nichols.”
“You don’t know as a kid. You don’t know where you’re being drafted, I knew nothing about DC,” Wilson said. “Fast forward 12-13 years later, it’s home now and so thankful looking back on it all that that happened. Extremely lucky to be drafted to a good organization.”
In the 2012 NHL Draft, Wilson was arguably an off-the-board pick by the Caps at number 16 as he was ranked the 15th best North American skater by the league and slotted as a mid-20s pick or below on most other reputable draft rankings.
The Flyers approached Wilson’s agent and made it clear that if he were still available by the time their pick came at no. 20, Wilson would be donning the orange and black. Instead, the Capitals general manager at the time, George McPhee, listened to his gut and called out “Thomas Wilson.”
McPhee’s decision was colored by the Capitals’ playoff experience in 2012, where the team defeated the Boston Bruins in in the first round after seven hard-fought games and fell in the New York Rangers in the semis in seven games.
“We made a note to remember those games at the Draft,” McPhee said. “Remember how intense they are, how demanding they are, how physical they are, make sure we get someone who wants to play in that kind of stuff.”
Not only did Wilson not end up a Flyer, but he has terrorized them on the ice since. He has racked up more time in the sin bin against Philly than any other opponent he’s played against (113), and has scored the second most points against them (20). Even if he hasn’t outright said he is happy to not be a Flyer, sometimes actions speak louder than words.
Wilson’s physical style of play has made a big impact on his value as a player. It was an asset he knew he had to capitalize on early in his NHL career.
“My role was going to be limited ice time, go out and try to have an impact on the game whatever way I could,” Wilson said. “When you’re playing six to seven minutes a night, one of the best ways to do it is to get the building rocking. Have a big fight or a big hit or maybe score a goal.”
Top Capitals’ prospect Ryan Leonard has garnered comparisons to Wilson ever since he began receiving attention from scouts. Like Wilson, Leonard is a physical power forward with a heavy shot. He also enjoys stirring it up on the ice.
"Get ready, Washington. You're getting an absolute menace!"
Behind-the-scenes of Ryan Leonard's first official moments as a member of the Washington Capitals in Nashville last night. #CapsDraft | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/wBNBNFFqnL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2023
Like deja vu, the two organizations once again found themselves eyeing the same players in 2023 NHL Draft. Leonard was frequently tied to the Flyers in mock drafts, with Philly occupying the seventh selection spot. The Flyers ended up selecting Matvei Michkov, who was a rumored pursuit by Caps GM Brian MacLennan. Their choice left Leonard unspoken for at pick eight.
“Scouts are combing the world for another Tom Wilson or Jamie Benn type player so the fact that he has many of those attributes bodes well for exactly what they’re looking for in the Nations Capital,” said one analyst.
Instead of an alternate universe where both of these menaces are Flyers, they are Washington Capitals. And hopefully Tom and Ryan make the Flyers pay for it well into the future.
