Versatile Infusion

The Capitals have long known that they have a unique talent in forward Tom Wilson. It's why they handed him a six-year, $31 million contract last summer. Wilson's combination of speed and strength along with his defensive savviness and his ability to finish offensively make him hard to replace.

Just ask head coach Todd Reirden, who went through a revolving door of top-line right wingers with Wilson unavailable for the first six weeks of the season.
By early November, five different players had been given a shot to skate on Alex Ovechkin's opposite wing on the No.1 line. While each of the five wingers showed flashes, none could provide all of the elements that the versatile Wilson brings to the lineup.
"He's such a big part of our team, of the way we play and the culture both on and off the ice," says T.J. Oshie. "We were missing something [to start the season] and that was number 43. He's a presence on the ice."
After missing the first 16 games of the season due to a suspension, Wilson provided the Capitals with a welcome jolt of energy when he finally made his season debut on Nov.13 in Minnesota.
By the end of the first period, he already had his first goal of the season after driving to the net and scoring from atop the crease. By the end of the second period, he had his first fighting major. By the end of the third, the Capitals had earned two points against the Wild. It was quintessential Wilson as he won board battles and created space for his linemates.

"He's a big-bodied guy that nobody likes to play against," says Capitals assistant coach Scott Arniel, who saw plenty of Wilson during his five years as an assistant coach with the Rangers.
"He's a force to handle out there because whether he's driving to the net, or he's battling in front of the net, he's going to play with a little bit of an edge. He's just a hard guy to play against and he gives us a big spark."
Wilson's belated season debut began the best stretch of his NHL career. In his first 11 games back, Wilson had eight goals and 14 points. Along the way, he produced a career-high six-game goal-scoring streak and an eight-game point streak.
Wilson's momentum was halted when he missed three games with an upper-body injury, but for the second time this season, his return provides a much welcome boost to the Capitals lineup.
"His presence on the ice, he's one of those Mark Messier, Jarome Iginla type guys," says defenseman Madison Bowey.
"Everyone knows when he's out there. He can hurt you any way. He skates hard, he backchecks, he's first on the forecheck, and he can shoot the puck and score. I think he's just an all-around complete player and an all-around presence on the ice that we really missed."

Veteran defenseman Matt Niskanen also views Wilson as a complete package.
"He brings a lot of determination and energy hunting down pucks and pressuring people," Niskanen says. "Every year he's been in the league his skill has gotten better and better, and he's developing a bit of a scoring touch. He kills penalties, he's obviously physical - everybody knows about that - but he's just really good at pressuring people and getting turnovers."
Because this is already Wilson's sixth full NHL season, it's easy to forget that he's still only 24 years old. The 6'4", 218-pound forward has gradually seen his workload and productivity increase in Washington as he's gone from a seldom-used fourth liner as a rookie to a fixture on the top line for the Stanley Cup champs.
Last year, Wilson had career-highs across the board with 14 goals, 35 points and 187 penalty minutes in 78 games. He also delivered the fourth most hits during the regular season while skating a career-high 15 minutes and 59 seconds per game.
"Every player wants more minutes," Wilson says. "You get more time with the puck, you get more looks. Whether I'm with Ovi and Kuzy or I'm with Ovi and Backy, it's going to be two of the best players in the world, so when they have the puck, that's good news. So, for me, I need to get them the puck, I need to get in on the forecheck, create space for them, go to the net, create a little bit of havoc and energy. Ovi has a unique style, he's a run and gun electric offensive threat, so it takes a little getting used to playing with him, but I think I've got it down."
Wilson was on the No.1 line throughout last spring's Stanley Cup run, proving tremendously valuable with five goals and 15 points in 21 games. In addition to finding a home on the No.1 line, Wilson also emerged as a key cog on the Capitals' penalty killing unit.
"He brings so much energy to this group," says Nicklas Backstrom. "He's everywhere out there. That's what we need. He's playing PK… he's doing everything. He's a valuable guy in this group so we're happy to have him back."
The Toronto native could have become an unrestricted free agent as early as 2020, but Wilson's new six-year pact leaves him under Capitals control through 2024.

"It was no secret that I wanted to be here," Wilson says. "I love it here. Knock on wood, I can't imagine playing for another team. You put your heart and soul into one team and you want to be there as long as you can. It was nice of them to say that the feeling was mutual and to show that belief in me. Now it's on me to go and continue to grow as a player and help this team win again and keep improving."
The consensus around the organization is that Wilson still has another level he can reach offensively. The team views him as a potential 20-25 goal scorer with an increased role on the power play likely in his future.
"It's fun to watch him be able to contribute in different ways," says Reirden. "He's just so valuable to us in terms of what he can do offensively. He's in on the forecheck and he changes the momentum of games by bringing the energy that he does. Talk about leaders in the room- he's one of them. I can't put a value on how important it is having him back."