I dropped out 8 or 9 pages ago, but has anyone brought up that Wilson's stats didn't have a major uptick playing with Kuzya and Ovi? He was still at a similar point pace with them as he was without them? Being a mid 30 point pace I believe.
Again, I don't see how anyone can argue this is anything but a gamble. Sure, you can believe in it, but it's still a gamble of a contract.
all of these contracts are a gamble. The long term to the unproven and the proven. Wilson and Oshie, say. Short term to the proven and unproven are also gambles. Lars Eller's contract extension was a gamble as was John Carlson's.
That said, what about Wilson's track record indicates any real chance that he wont improve? He is still y0ung and should. His game and his role have improved with each season that has passed. Look at his TOI ranking on the team among forwards. What about his playoff performance of 3rd in even strength points and 2nd in even strength points per game says flash in the pan?
I think its crucial to consider the character makeup of this player and how he is trusted throughout the organEYEzation. This is trust that he has earned thru work and accomplishment. Frankly I would love to see the chaos putting him in front of the net on the power play would cause. As both Oshie and Connolly are prone to miss some games, I am pretty sure we will get to see that this season.
One last. I don't think its a coincidence that the Caps playoff performance improved with the elevation of Wilson's game and role on the team. The opposition cant defend against what he brings.
I wonder if Babcock would game plan Tom Wilson now?