Cassidy has ‘moved on’ from Wilson hit
Capitals forward gets seven-game ban
The National Hockey League has handed down its punishment to the Capitals’ Tom Wilson — a seven-game suspension for his head shot on Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo that was classified as “boarding” — and with that bit of necessary business done with, Bruce Cassidy was ready to move on.
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
What is it not known, however, is whether Wilson will return to game action before Carlo does. It can be close to impossible to set a timeline for head injuries.
Was Cassidy satisfied with the punishment?
“I don’t have enough comparables (to be satisfied or not). I was glad they looked at it and they did assess some discipline. I don’t know about satisfied,” said Cassidy on Sunday morning. “I guess what I’m satisfied about is I texted Brandon this morning and he said he’s feeling better. He’s obviously going to be out for a while, but he’s feeling better. That’s kind where I’m at with that. As I said the other day, I made my feelings known what I thought of the hit and then it goes to the Player Safety or NHL disciplinary department and they take it from there. I’ve kind of moved on and am preparing for New Jersey. He’s got his punishment to deal with.”
Cassidy said it was fair to say that Carlo could be classified as “week-to-week.”
Capitals’ coach Peter Laviolette had defended the Wilson hit after the game and again on Saturday to Washington reporters.
“To me it was a hockey hit,” said Laviolette on Saturday. “If this is a suspendable play then all hitting really is going to probably have to removed because he didn’t take any strides, he didn’t target the head, a player that was up against the boards, he was upright and Tom hit him hard. I hope the player’s OK, but for me the call I think was correct on the ice (Friday) night. This hit happens so many times through the course of the game where somebody hits somebody against the boards so I think we’re still hopeful Tom will be available will be available to us (for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia).”
Cassidy said he did not see Laviolette’s comments. When given the gist of what Laviolette said, the Bruins’ coach simply stuck to his own guns.
“I gave my feelings, that it was a predatory unnecessary hit and I stand by those comments. The league I think has backed that up,” said Cassidy. “As for Lavvy, he’s been in the league a long time. He’s going to protect his player. I have no issue with that. That’s his prerogative. I respect Peter. He’s been a coach in this league a long time and he’s entitled to his opinion. I just happen to disagree with it.”
The league meted out its punishment late Saturday night.
In the video released by the league, it was stated that Carlo, engaged in a puck battle with Jakub Vrana, was in no position to anticipate the hit that drove his head “violently” into the glass. Wilson could have made a legal hit, but he chose not to.
The video statement from the league stated, “While there are aspects of this hit that skirt the line between suspendable and not suspendable, it is the totality of the circumstances that cause this play to merit supplemental discipline. What separates this hit from others is the direct and significant contact to a defenseless player’s face and head, causing a violent impact with the glass. This is a player with a substantial disciplinary record taking advantage of an opponent in a defenseless position, and doing so with significant force.”
Vaakanainen gets the call
Taking Carlo’s place in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils was the left-handed Urho Vaakanainen, who started on the right side next to Jarred Tinordi. Cassidy said that both he and fellow lefty Jakub Zboril could move around a bit.
“Urho is a good defender,” said Cassidy. “We want him to be a good first pass, first outlet, first touch guy where he’s very clean. That’s how he’s going to survive in the National Hockey League. That’s what Zboril’s been doing. He’s very good at it. His outlet passes have been on the tape. For Jakub, it was ‘can you defend against good players every night, be hard to play against?’ And he’s shown that for the most part he has.
“There’s a little bit of that ask for Vaak. Vaak’s proba- bly going to be shaded more towards a penalty killer than a power-play guy than Zboril, who is the opposite. So play to our strengths, pitch in where we need you. And if you are on the penalty kill, you don’t have to be Kevan Miller or Brandon Carlo, who are longer and shot suppressors. Go kill plays with your feet and your stick. That’s more your game. Play to your strengths.” …
Cassidy said that Miller is expected to begin skating this week. Miller, whose problematic right knee has been acting up, has been out since Feb. 18. …
Sean Kuraly was scratched for the second straight game…