When the Washington Capitals signed Tom Wilson to a six-year, $31-million contract last summer, it was met with heavy criticism. He was about to come with a $5-million cap hit after recording a career high of only 14 goals.
However, Wilson has silenced the critics in his first year under the new deal. He has 18 goals and 33 points in 47 games, which would put him on pace for 31 tallies and 57 points over an entire 82-game season.
The offensive production
Wilson's deal actually stacks up quite nicely to similar pacts signed by wingers over the past few years, according to Cap Friendly's contract comparison tool.
Player
Length
AAV
GPG
PPG
Tom Wilson
6
$5.16M
0.38
0.70
Elias Lindholm
6
$4.85M
0.39
1.09
Jason Zucker
5
$5.5M
0.26
0.52
Teuvo Teravainen
5
$5.4M
0.28
0.94
Nino Niederreiter
5
$5.25M
0.28
0.63
J.T. Miller
5
$5.25M
0.20
0.60
Reilly Smith
5
$5M
0.22
0.65
While some players have drastically outplayed their contracts, such as Lindholm, it's clear that Wilson is being paid appropriately based on his production this season.
Wilson's $5.16-million average annual value is the 103rd-highest cap hit among NHL forwards this season, and, according to Corsica's player rankings, he's been the 102nd-best forward in the NHL. The top 100 features many skaters playing out the final years of their entry-level contracts, too. If Wilson can maintain this offensive production, his contract will look better with each coming year.
The physical element
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The NHL has evolved into a league which values skill more than toughness, but there's still room for a throwback like Wilson. He's even more valuable today than he would've been 10 or 20 years ago since players with his skill set are such a rarity. You can count on one hand the number of players in Wilson's tier of toughness who can also play on a top line.
Wilson is a legitimate heavyweight fighter. He may even be the best scrapper in the game, though Ryan Reaves probably disagrees. Fighting may be down across the league, but this still matters.
For example, after Ian Cole delivered a cheap shot to Evgeny Kuznetsov earlier in the season, Wilson immediately took exception and beat Cole to a pulp. It's safe to say Cole will never again take a run at a star player on the Caps.
Wilson is also arguably the game's most feared hitter. Opponents - specifically defensemen - need to know where he is on the ice at all times. Yes, his aggressive play has gotten him into trouble with the Department of Player Safety, but more often than not it yields positive results, as seen when this bone-crushing check on Jake Gardiner led to a goal.
Wilson's game profiles similarly to the first 10 years of Milan Lucic's career, though Wilson is a better skater than Lucic ever was, which suggests he'll age better. Even if Wilson's production falls off a cliff at 29 years old as Lucic's did, his contract will be coming to an end.
The Capitals were banking on Wilson's breakout season not being an aberration when they signed him to the extension. In Year 1, he's already taken his game to new heights offensively, and there's no indication he can't improve further.
Players like Wilson don't grow on trees, and the Capitals have one locked up for the next five years on a very team-friendly cap hit - something nobody anticipated when the deal was signed.
When the Washington Capitals signed Tom Wilson to a six-year, $31-million contract last summer, it was met with heavy criticism. He was about to come with a $5-million cap hit after recording a career high of only 14 goals.
However, Wilson has silenced the critics in his first year under the new deal. He has 18 goals and 33 points in 47 games, which would put him on pace for 31 tallies and 57 points over an entire 82-game season.
The offensive production
Wilson's deal actually stacks up quite nicely to similar pacts signed by wingers over the past few years, according to Cap Friendly's contract comparison tool.
Player
Length
AAV
GPG
PPG
Tom Wilson
6
$5.16M
0.38
0.70
Elias Lindholm
6
$4.85M
0.39
1.09
Jason Zucker
5
$5.5M
0.26
0.52
Teuvo Teravainen
5
$5.4M
0.28
0.94
Nino Niederreiter
5
$5.25M
0.28
0.63
J.T. Miller
5
$5.25M
0.20
0.60
Reilly Smith
5
$5M
0.22
0.65
While some players have drastically outplayed their contracts, such as Lindholm, it's clear that Wilson is being paid appropriately based on his production this season.
Wilson's $5.16-million average annual value is the 103rd-highest cap hit among NHL forwards this season, and, according to Corsica's player rankings, he's been the 102nd-best forward in the NHL. The top 100 features many skaters playing out the final years of their entry-level contracts, too. If Wilson can maintain this offensive production, his contract will look better with each coming year.
The physical element
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The NHL has evolved into a league which values skill more than toughness, but there's still room for a throwback like Wilson. He's even more valuable today than he would've been 10 or 20 years ago since players with his skill set are such a rarity. You can count on one hand the number of players in Wilson's tier of toughness who can also play on a top line.
Wilson is a legitimate heavyweight fighter. He may even be the best scrapper in the game, though Ryan Reaves probably disagrees. Fighting may be down across the league, but this still matters.
For example, after Ian Cole delivered a cheap shot to Evgeny Kuznetsov earlier in the season, Wilson immediately took exception and beat Cole to a pulp. It's safe to say Cole will never again take a run at a star player on the Caps.
Wilson is also arguably the game's most feared hitter. Opponents - specifically defensemen - need to know where he is on the ice at all times. Yes, his aggressive play has gotten him into trouble with the Department of Player Safety, but more often than not it yields positive results, as seen when this bone-crushing check on Jake Gardiner led to a goal.
Wilson's game profiles similarly to the first 10 years of Milan Lucic's career, though Wilson is a better skater than Lucic ever was, which suggests he'll age better. Even if Wilson's production falls off a cliff at 29 years old as Lucic's did, his contract will be coming to an end.
The Capitals were banking on Wilson's breakout season not being an aberration when they signed him to the extension. In Year 1, he's already taken his game to new heights offensively, and there's no indication he can't improve further.
Players like Wilson don't grow on trees, and the Capitals have one locked up for the next five years on a very team-friendly cap hit - something nobody anticipated when the deal was signed.
Edmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson has narrowed down the list of candidates in his search for a new general manager, TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Monday's edition of ''Insider Trading.''
Dreger listed Kelly McCrimmon, Dave Nonis, Keith Gretzky, Sean Burke, Mike Futa, and Mark Hunter as candidates, though he noted there could be others. Gretzky has served as the Oilers' interim general manager since Peter Chiarelli was fired in January.
Nicholson would like to begin seeking permission to speak with these candidates in the next 10-14 days, Dreger added.
The new hire, if not Gretzky, would mark the Oilers' fifth general manager since 2008. The team has made the playoffs just once over that span.
Shore was helped off the ice by teammates and did not return to the game. The 24-year-old was scheduled to have an MRI on his knee Monday, according to Ducks assistant coach Mark Morrison.
Cole avoided supplementary discipline for a similar knee-on-knee collision with New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson earlier this season. He was assessed a two-minute minor on that play.
The 30-year-old blue-liner earned a three-game ban in 2012 for an illegal check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader, the only suspension of his career.
There will be a laundry list of topics up for discussion at the annual GM meetings this week in southern Florida, but the current NHL playoff format will not be one of them.
"It's not on the agenda," NHL senior executive vice president Colin Campbell said Monday, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
The NHL changed its playoff format after restructuring each conference from three divisions to two ahead of the 2013-14 season. The switch was made in an effort to build and promote divisional rivalries.
The change has worked to some degree, but later rounds of playoff action can lose steam as a result, with serious contenders forced to face each other early in the postseason.
Despite disapproval from many fans and even some players, hockey's higher-ups are quite content with the existing playoff format and the results it has yielded.
"I would say that there doesn't appear to be a consensus or desire for change," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Monday, according to Seravalli. "The current system has done what it was intended to do. It's emphasized and featured rivalries in early-round matchups. And that has generated enhanced interest and better (television) ratings."
Based on the standings entering Monday's action, three of the NHL's top five teams are guaranteed to be eliminated from the playoffs before the conference finals.
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella offered a blunt explanation for defenseman Adam McQuaid's status as a healthy scratch during Sunday's loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
"I have to make decisions on who I think is our best six, too, and right now 'Quaider' isn't that," Tortorella said Monday, according to Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch.
The Blue Jackets acquired McQuaid from the New York Rangers ahead of the trade deadline in an effort to bolster their blue line, but it seems Tortorella currently considers the 32-year-old to be a liability.
"Little concerned about the speed of the game with him and so we went back to the other guys," the coach said.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman has posted a minus-four rating in three games since joining the team.
Columbus has dropped three of four contests since general manager Jarmo Kekalainen went all-in at the trade deadline and sits two points out of a playoff berth heading into Monday's action.
Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Round 1 of the fantasy hockey playoffs. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Pick up Mikael Backlund
Team: Flames Position: C Ownership: 34 percent
Backlund has been on fire lately, scoring four goals and adding five assists in his last eight games, during which the Flames are 7-1. You'll almost certainly have room for him in your lineup for all four of his games, as three of Calgary's contests this week come when many teams are off.
Add Justin Schultz
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Team: Penguins Position: D Ownership: 37 percent
Schultz has made a triumphant return from an early-season knee injury, as he's picked up six points in eight games since rejoining the lineup. With Kris Letang shelved, Schultz has been leading the Penguins' shaky defense corps, as he's averaging 26:45 of ice time over his last four games, recording four points in that span. He's also been the point man on Pittsburgh's highly skilled power-play unit.
The fact that the Pens have a league-high four games this week is simply a bonus to all the upside Schultz brings.
Stream Marcus Johansson
Team: Bruins Position: LW Ownership: 5 percent
The Bruins' biggest trade deadline acquisition has failed to make a notable impact in his three games in black and gold, tallying just one assist. However, Boston has been the league's hottest team of late, and it's only a matter of time before Johansson gets in on the action. He'll have plenty of chances to do so, as the Bruins are one of seven teams with four games this week.
Johansson should be targeted in deeper leagues where Backlund is likely already owned.
Take a flier on Filip Hronek
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Team: Red Wings Position: D Ownership: 1 percent
Hronek is one of the Red Wings' top prospects and is already making an impact at the NHL level. Since his most recent recall from the AHL, the Czech blue-liner has four assists in six games, and he's played over 22 minutes in each of his last three contests. The Wings play four games this week, and three of their opponents struggle to keep the puck out of their own net.
Like Johansson, Hronek should be viewed as an option in deep leagues where Schultz has likely already been scooped up.
Drop fringe players on Blackhawks, Predators, Flyers, Sharks
The Blackhawks, Predators, Flyers, and Sharks each play two games this week. Obviously, the big names should still be owned, but any fringe players need to be dropped for guys with four games this week.
Welcome to the 12th edition of theScore's 2018-19 NHL Power Rankings, which are published every two weeks during the regular season.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-12-4)
The Lightning are in the midst of a dominant season, matching the 1995-96 Red Wings to become the second team in league history to win 50 of its first 66 games. That Detroit team went on to win a record 62 contests, and it should be a blast to see if Tampa can match that mark.
Previously: 1st
2. Boston Bruins (39-17-9) ▲
Boston has won nine of its last 10 games, and the Bruins haven't lost in regulation since Jan. 19. Suddenly, the Bruins appear destined for home-ice advantage in a daunting Atlantic Division playoff picture.
Previously: 4th
3. Calgary Flames (41-17-7) ▲
Surely, the Flames wanted to secure two points for Jarome Iginla on his special night. But even after the disappointing result, Calgary is sitting pretty atop the Western Conference with 89 points, and a 7-2-1 record in the team's last 10 games.
Previously: 5th
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (40-21-4) ▲
The Maple Leafs rank third league-wide in regulation-and-overtime wins (40) and second in goal differential (plus-47). However, finding a way to catch Boston is all that should matter right now for the Buds.
Previously: 6th
5. San Jose Sharks (39-19-8) ▼
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty
San Jose is excelling in advanced stats, but Martin Jones' .897 save percentage is a major concern as the playoffs inch closer.
Previously: 3rd
6. Washington Capitals (38-21-7) ▲
Washington's rounded into shape lately, and the Capitals are in the hunt for the Metropolitan Division crown. As always, Alex Ovechkin is leading the way. He recently secured his record-breaking 10th season with 45-plus goals.
Previously: 14th
7. New York Islanders (37-21-7) ▼
Do not spurn the New York Islanders in free agency and expect to get away with it unscathed.
Previously: 2nd
8. Carolina Hurricanes (36-23-6) ▲
After winning eight of their last 10 games, including five in a row, the Hurricanes look dangerous. They're getting solid goaltending to match an overwhelming attack. Look out for Carolina going forward.
Previously: 9th
9. Winnipeg Jets (39-22-4) ▼
The Jets beat the Blue Jackets on Sunday, but they're sputtering a bit lately and need to get back on track soon. On their upcoming schedule, the Jets face six consecutive games against top-10 teams.
Previously: 7th
10. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-22-9) ▲
Francois Lacasse / National Hockey League / Getty
The Penguins have struggled to find consistency all season, but captain Sidney Crosby appears ready to push his club to the playoffs. In his last 10 games, Sid has notched 21 points, and he's now fifth in league scoring.
Previously: 18th
11. Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-5) ▲
Things have been looking up for Vegas, as the Golden Knights reeled off four straight victories after landing Mark Stone on trade deadline day. The Knights are now better positioned to compete with their Western Conference rivals come playoff time.
Previously: 17th
12. Nashville Predators (38-25-5) ▼
The Predators needed to improve their atrocious power play, and adding Mikael Granlund and Wayne Simmonds should do that once the two trade-deadline acquisitions get acclimated to Nashville's system.
Previously: 11th
13. St. Louis Blues (34-25-6) ▼
The Blues have cooled off since our last rankings, dropping four of their last seven contests, with only one of those three wins coming in regulation. However, St. Louis remains in a postseason position for now, and Jordan Binnington continues to give his team a chance to win every game.
Previously: 8th
14. Minnesota Wild (32-27-7) ▲
The Wild won five straight games before Sunday's shootout loss to the Predators, including impressive road victories over the Flames and Jets. Few predicted Minnesota would play this well after the team traded Granlund and Charlie Coyle before the deadline, but the Wild are exceeding recent expectations.
Previously: 19th
15. Montreal Canadiens (35-24-7) ▼
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Inconsistent play has dogged the Canadiens lately. Much like the Predators, Montreal needs to fix its weak power play, as the Habs' efficiency rate ranks 31st with the man advantage.
Previously: 13th
16. Philadelphia Flyers (32-26-8) ▼
Philadelphia has won four of its last five, including a significant victory over the Islanders on Sunday. But there's still plenty of work left for the Flyers to sneak into the postseason, as the team has recorded fewer regulation-or-overtime wins than the clubs ahead with no games in hand. Plus, Philadelphia is still posting a negative goal differential.
Previously: 10th
17. Arizona Coyotes (32-28-5) ▲
The once moribund Coyotes are on the playoff doorstep after winning six straight. Several teams have climbed back into the race in a lackluster Pacific Division. But Arizona deserves credit, even if the Coyotes haven't beaten many powerhouses during their run.
Dallas has won three of its last four games, but two of those wins came against the Kings and Blackhawks. The Stars are still among the NHL's stingiest defensive teams, ranking third in goals against. But Dallas is also one of the league's worst offensive squads, ranking 29th in goals for.
Previously: 12th
20. Colorado Avalanche (28-26-12)▲
Foster Snell / National Hockey League / Getty
The Avalanche started rounding into form after our last edition, winning four straight. But they've been inconsistent lately, and hefty contributions from Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog might not be enough to get Colorado into the postseason.
Previously: 26th
21. Florida Panthers (28-26-11)▲
The Panthers have been grinding lately, going into extra time in four consecutive contests before Sunday's regulation loss to the Senators. However, Florida produced only one win in that span, and Frank Vatrano hasn't registered a point since signing his extension in late February.
Previously: 22nd
22. Buffalo Sabres (30-27-8) ▼
A difficult second half of the season is overshadowing the Sabres' promising start, but fans shouldn't be discouraged. Buffalo could lose all 17 games the rest of the way and still finish with higher win and point totals than it did last year. The Sabres will likely miss the playoffs again, but they're trending in the right direction.
Previously: 20th
23. Chicago Blackhawks (27-30-9) ▼
After an incredible 10-2 run launched the Blackhawks up the standings and into a playoff position briefly, the team has come back down to earth. Chicago has dropped four of its last five contests, conceding 23 goals in the process.
Previously: 16th
24. Edmonton Oilers (28-30-7) ▲
The Oilers picked up three of a possible four points with Connor McDavid serving his two-game suspension, but the Maple Leafs bullied them 6-2 in his return. Edmonton's playoff chances are slim, but consecutive wins have Ken Hitchcock's club playing with pride down the stretch.
Previously: 30th
25. New York Rangers (27-27-11) ▼
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
New York has lost five of its last six games, including three straight since trading longtime Rangers Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes. Mika Zibanejad's coming out party as a top-line center is one positive revelation for a team entering a rebuild.
Previously: 21st
26. Vancouver Canucks (27-30-9) ▼
The Canucks lingered around a playoff spot for most of the season, but they've fallen down the ladder after dropping six of their last seven outings. Travis Green's group is struggling to build any momentum, failing to win consecutive games since Jan. 20.
Previously: 24th
27. New Jersey Devils (25-33-8) ▲
Injuries have mired the Devils' season, and the team is struggling to score. New Jersey has potted just four goals during a three-game losing skid, and the Devils rank 20th while averaging 2.83 goals per game.
Previously: 28th
28. Los Angeles Kings (24-33-8) ▼
The Kings finally ended a 10-game losing streak with a victory over the Blackhawks on Saturday. The win was their first on home ice since Jan. 21. L.A. deploys the league's 30th-ranked offense while scoring 2.40 goals per game, and the Kings are one of three teams still waiting to roster a 20-goal scorer.
Previously: 27th
29. Detroit Red Wings (23-33-9) ▼
Dylan Larkin is providing Red Wings fans with a reason for excitement. In his fourth NHL season, the 22-year-old is on pace for a career-high 78 points, which would mark the highest single-season total by a Red Wing since 2010-11. Detroit has dropped seven straight games, however, and the team looks ready to hear the results of this year's draft lottery.
Previously: 25th
30. Anaheim Ducks (25-32-9) ▲
It's been a season to forget for the lowly Ducks. Since ending a franchise-worst 12-game losing streak in January, Anaheim has suffered through seven- and five-game slides. Over their last six contests, the Ducks have mustered seven goals while recording just one win in that span.
Previously: 31st
31. Ottawa Senators (23-38-5) ▼
After cleaning house at the deadline, none of the Senators' top-six scorers from a season ago are on the team's roster. Ottawa has recorded just five regulation wins since Dec. 15.
