After he was hammered with a 20-game suspension Wednesday, more than a few teammates came to the defense of Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson.
Among the most vocal was fellow winger Devante Smith-Pelly, who told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, "Honestly, I think it's garbage. We watched a video from the league saying what hits are good, and which ones aren't. They showed some hits that were way worse than that ... maybe not in force, but as it regards to the head, that were so-called 'allowed.' I guess he just has a different rule book, and I think it's garbage, honestly.
"You can't just (suspend) because it's him. We all feel he went through the shoulder. The guy has a separated shoulder. Just because it's him, you don't have to make a statement."
Wilson was issued the ban following a head hit to St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist during preseason action. The suspension also comes on the heels of his three-game ban as a result of head hit in last year's playoffs.
A decision has yet to be made on whether Wilson will appeal the suspension.
