Montreal Canadiens: New comparable for scoring wingers
By Omar L
The Tom Wilson extension may have an effect on which team chooses to make a deal with the Montreal Canadiens for Max Pacioretty.
The Washington Capitals became the latest team to deal with their remaining restricted free agents. Tom Wilson was the final one, and he ended up getting paid big time. The reigning Stanley Cup Champions chose to sign Wilson to a six-year $31 million contract. It’s a bittersweet moment Caps fans but can also play into the future dealings involving the Montreal Canadiens and Max Pacioretty.
Wilson is a power forward that plays with a lot of snarl. He also has displayed the ability to score goals, but not at the amount, or pace for that matter, of a $5 million player. The 2012 first-round pick set a career high in goals and points this past season with 14 goals and 21 assists in 78 games. Wilson also added 15 points for Washington in the playoffs.
On the more negative side of things, the 24-year-old’s aggressive play sometimes sees him on the wrong side of hits that warrant a talk with NHL Player Safety.
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There are obviously other aspects of Wilson that Washington favoured and wanted to keep around. However, that cap hit is higher than a lot of people expected. But when you win the Stanley Cup, nothing else matters.
All joking aside, Wilson’s contract could play a role in the future dealings around Pacioretty (it also makes Brendan Gallagher‘s $3.75 million AAV look amazing). The 29-year-old is entering the final year of a very team friendly contract at $4.5 million per season.
The team who gives up the assets to acquire Pacioretty would most likely want to keep him around long-term. If the sniper making around $8-9 million was a stretch before, Wilson making $5.16 million justifies it. Evander Kane‘s $7 million AAV with the San Jose Sharks helps Pacioretty’s case as well.
Granted, a team may only worry about getting Pacioretty on their roster and not what will happen at the end of the season. But if his long-term longevity is in question, his next deal is something that should be kept in mind, and Wilson’s new deal in some ways will be a factor.
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Morning Links
From Carey Price's Instagram account - a little summer downtime with Shea Weber and Jeff Petry. #Habs pic.twitter.com/D5ND5mXJU1
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