The hockey world reacts to Tom Wilson's suspension

BarDown Staff

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On Wednesday morning, Tom Wilson met with the Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to head of Oskar Sundqvist during a preseason game against the Blues.

Wilson has a history of controversial hits and suspensions and as the hockey world discovered, the Department of Player Safety wasn't going to let Wilson off the hook. Rather than give him a 10-game suspension like some had predicted, they suspended Wilson for 20 games.

JUST IN: NHL Player Safety announces that Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended 20 games for an illegal check to the head of Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist.

MORE: https://t.co/cMT3wSKsbt pic.twitter.com/SMGqrnQoEJ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 3, 2018

The hockey world was hoping the Department of Player Safety would make a statement with this suspension and did they ever.

Since the 2015/16 season, Wilson's suspension is tied for the second-longest in length (Raffi Torres 41 games) and once the suspension was handed down, the hockey world seemed to unanimously be in favour of the length.

That will cost him $1.26M. Very strong message sent by the NHL and I’m good with it. https://t.co/owMlNqOWQz
— Martin Biron (@martybiron43) October 3, 2018

If forfeiting nearly $1.3M of salary doesn’t get Tom Wilson to change his on-ice behaviour, I don’t know what will.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) October 3, 2018

Good for you, George Parros. 20 games for Tom Wilson. That will get everyone thinking.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) October 3, 2018

20 games for Wilson. Finally, a meaningful number...https://t.co/r2FEsbL5RN
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) October 3, 2018

Feels like they got this one right. https://t.co/JmDjNwMfCf
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) October 3, 2018

I bet Tom didn't see this coming
— Mike Pfeil (@mikeFAIL) October 3, 2018

👀👀 pic.twitter.com/hlyKu6Y1EQ
— Rocco (@Italian_Rock) October 3, 2018

pic.twitter.com/ASnWqwaInP
— Spencer (@_Boqvist) October 3, 2018

Kick him off the tour, Doug.
— Rickus (@DevRickus) October 3, 2018

As a Caps fan, want to find a reason to get mad. I can’t. He earned it.
— Kyle Otter 🏆 (@capshockey003) October 3, 2018

Punishment fits the crime and the perpetrator 👍🏻 finally NHL Player Safety got something right.
— Ace (@aaron_pattison) October 3, 2018

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— Jesus Price (@shallzy31) October 3, 2018

pic.twitter.com/oyKG4E8JcZ
— #FreeNate Golden Knights Fans (@VGK_Fans) October 3, 2018

About friggin time. Next time should be a season.
— UpstateEer (@UpstateEer) October 3, 2018

Makes sense. Tom Wilson defines the term “Repeat Offender”.
— Joshy B (@theejoshyb) October 3, 2018

Putting the hammer down. Great
— Collin Ashby (@CollinAshby) October 3, 2018

He deserves half a season but I'm glad they hit him hard.
— Ghost of Hasek (@freemasons23) October 3, 2018

This is how the league should be. Get rid of the dangerous plays by making examples of repeat offenders
— 🦂Avalanchian🦂 (@Avalanchian71) October 3, 2018

Wow DoPS got this one right. Good work Parros
— robert robinson (@robrobinson208) October 3, 2018

Message sent.
— Neil Schoenthaler (@Puck082) October 3, 2018

Finally
— CathyN (@123Hobo1) October 3, 2018

It’s about damn time.
— Steve (@SteveISU16) October 3, 2018

Strong message sent. Very happy with this. NHL needed to send a message and they have
— Good father. Horrible golfer (@CJ_Casselman) October 3, 2018

pic.twitter.com/MPWpwPnLVg
— Lauren Nicole (@conquistalaur) October 3, 2018

That's better @NHLPlayerSafety. For too long the league has essentially been sanctioning this type of play with slap-on-the-wrist punishments for serial offenders.
— Chris Powell (@ChrisPowell67) October 3, 2018

(H/T: Department of Player Safety)