Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was suspended six games by the NHL on Friday for high-sticking Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor last Wednesday.
The play was labeled “dangerous, direct, and forceful” by the league’s Department of Player Safety. While they agreed with Wilson’s assertion that he didn’t mean to catch Gregor up high with his swinging stick, they still called his actions “fully under his own control,” hence the severity of suspension.
Before the league handed down Wilson’s suspension, Gregor spoke on the interaction after the Maple Leafs’ practice on Friday. The 25-year-old winger, sporting multiple chipped teeth, seemed to agree that Wilson’s actions were unintentional but still dangerous.
“I don’t think he’s trying to slash a guy in the face,” Gregor said, per TSN. “I don’t think anyone in the league is ever trying to do that. Probably a little reckless with the stick and unfortunately got me but I ended up being okay. I’m fine. The league will handle it from here.”
As for the extent of the damage, Gregor says it was “just some teeth.” He added that he has “thankfully” only broken or lost four teeth during his career.
“I haven’t got it taken care of yet,” Gregor said. “It’s fine, already ones that have broken before, so they’re already dead.”
Right after connecting with Gregor’s face, Wilson immediately leaned over the ailing forward to apologize. Gregor was asked if on-ice apologies are common in the NHL.
“Fairly [rare], yeah,” he said. “If guys know they did something that they don’t mean or they catch a guy in a certain matter, guys will say sorry. It’s not unheard of.”
Outside of his teeth, Gregor was not seriously hurt by the high stick and was able to finish Toronto’s 7-3 win over the Capitals. He is scheduled to skate on the Maple Leafs’ third line with Connor Dewar and David Kampf against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
Gregor was asked if he was surprised Wilson received the option for an in-person hearing for the play, given that he was able to continue playing with the chipped teeth. In-person (or video) hearings allow Player Safety to hand out suspensions of six games or more.
“I don’t know,” Gregor replied. “To be honest, I don’t look too much into that. That’s not my department.”
Wilson has already served one game of his suspension and will be eligible to return on April 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will miss the Capitals’ trip up to Toronto for a rematch with Gregor and the Maple Leafs on Thursday.
