Tom Wilson explains why he refused to drop the gloves against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Tom Wilson made his season debut yesterday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran forward underwent knee surgery after injuring himself last season during the Capitals playoff run. Despite missing time Wilson is still viewed as one of the NHL's premier heavyweights.
With that reputation comes multiple challenges over the course of the season. Yesterday Wilson receiver his first challenge, this time from Mathieu Olivier. In his first game back Wilson was unwilling to accept the challenge.
After the game Wilson explained exactly why he said no.
He's a tough player. Plays honest, plays hard," said Wilson. "I think he wanted to fight and [I] just said, 'Hey, give me a game to get my body back into it here.'
Those are the great part of hockey and why you play the game and the passion and the competitive nature, it's fun going up against those guys. But I had to politefully decide at that point in the game.
Those are the great part of hockey and why you play the game and the passion and the competitive nature, it's fun going up against those guys. But I had to politefully decide at that point in the game.
This obviously doesn't sound like the Tom Wilson everyone knows, but maybe as Wilson ages he begins to get a bit more mature and intelligent. With his team up by just a goal there was no reason to give the Jackets any momentum.
It's only a matter of time before Wilson let's his old self surface.