Capitals' Tom Wilson Suspended 6 Games for High-Sticking; 6th Career Suspension
March 23, 2024
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended six games for high sticking forward Noah Gregor during a 7-3 Wednesday loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the suspension Friday following a hearing held with Wilson over Zoom.
He will forfeit $161,458.32 during the suspension, according to the NHL.
Wilson earned a four-minute double minor for the high-sticking penalty, which he took with just under eight minutes remaining in the third period.
Wilson drew his stick back in "an extremely reckless fashion, making direct and forceful contact with Gregor's face," the DoPS said in an explanation video.
Gregor said that Wilson apologized immediately after the hit, which caused damage to his teeth, according to TSN and the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.
"While we acknowledge Wilson's assertion that he did not mean to strike Gregor in the face, the fact remains that Wilson's stick is drawn back behind him, then swung forcefully and recklessly into his opponent," the DoPS said.
The DoPs also cited Wilson's "substantial track record of supplemental discipline" in their decision.
The suspension marks the sixth of Wilson's career and raises his career fines total to $1.4 million, according to The Athletic's Chris Johnston.
Wilson's longest suspension came in 2018, when he was suspended for 20 games (reduced to 14 on appeal) for a preseason hit to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. He was last suspended in 2021.
The NHL's announcement came hours before the Capitals' Friday night home game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Wilson is ranked fourth on the team with 17 goals in 66 games this season. His absence could hurt the Capitals' chances in the race for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, especially because he will be sidelined for a Tuesday contest with a Detroit Red Wings team seeking the same spot.
The Capitals forward will also miss a Thursday rematch against the Maple Leafs in Toronto. He will next be eligible to play on April 2 in a home rivalry matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.