WILSON TO APPEAL 20-GAME BAN
Washington Capitals right-winger Tom Wilson will appeal his 20-game suspension from the NHL’s department of player safety, according to coach Todd Reirden. Wilson received the supplemental discipline Wednesday for an illegal check to the head of Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist Sunday in the teams’ pre-season finale. Wilson had 48 hours from the time the suspension was handed down to provide written notice of an appeal to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, but it’s unlikely Bettman will overturn the decision. Wilson could then appeal to a neutral arbitrator and in both cases Wilson would remain suspended during the appeal process (unless the full term of his suspension has run its course). The appeal would go through the NHL Players’ Association, not the Capitals. Based on the US$5.17-million average annual value of Wilson’s contract, he will forfeit $1.26 million.