Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Wilson has been fined for kneeing Pittsburgh Penguins forward Conor Sheary.
The hit happened at 4:01 of the third period of Thursday’s game. No penalty was assessed on the play by referees Chris Lee and Dan O’Rourke.
Sheary missed a few shifts but did return later in the game.
Wilson was fined $2,403.67, the maximum allowable under the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement. While he’s piled up the penalty minutes – along with a reputation – Wilson has never been suspended by the league.
When asked about the hit after the game, Pens head coach Mike Sullivan opted to avoid speculation and trust the system.
“I have no idea [whether Wilson would be suspended], but I’m sure those guys, they’re pretty diligent with their job,” Sullivan said of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, as reported by the Washington Post. “I’m sure they’ll look at everything. They’ll do whatever they think is appropriate.”
In this case, it looks like they felt a maximum fine was just right.
The fine is, well, fine, but the Penguins would’ve probably preferred the penalty.
