Whether you are a diehard Penguins fan or have just a passing interest, chances are you have grown to absolutely detest Tom Wilson over the last five years.
Well, get ready: You're going to get six more years of the Capitals' agitating forward.
The Capitals announced on Friday night that they've re-signed Wilson to a deal that will keep him in Washington through 2023-24. The contract comes with an average annual value of $5.17 million.
6 more years in DC!! Love this team and love this city. Beyond excited to stay a part of the Capitals family!
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) July 28, 2018
"Tom is an invaluable member of our team and we are pleased that he is committed to sign a long-term contract at this point in his career," Capitals GM Brian McLellan said in a statement. "Tom is a unique player in this league, in that he plays a physical game, leads by example and contributes in every facet of the game. At 24 years of age, he is entering his prime and we believe that he will only continue to excel and improve as a player."
In 78 games last season, Wilson set career highs in goals (14), assists (21) and points (35) while skating on Washington's top line with center Evgeny Kuznetsov and superstar left wing Alex Ovechkin. He also had 187 penalty minutes, second-most in the NHL.
In 21 playoff games this spring, Wilson had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points with 11 PIMs.
He had four assists and four penalty minutes in three games in the Capitals' second-round series win over the Penguins. But he also had to serve a three-game suspension for a hit to the head of Penguins rookie Zach Aston-Reese in Game 3.
That came after he knocked Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin out of Game 2 with a concussion.
“I play a physical style and that’s going to bring more attention to that type of thing than someone who doesn’t finish checks like I do and play that hard type of hockey,” Wilson said prior to Game 3. “I’ve always prided myself on being an honest player, try and play the game hard, play the game the way it was meant to be played, the right way. I try and keep that element in my game no matter what role I’m playing.”
Wilson also served a four-game suspension at the start of last season for boarding St. Louis' Sam Blais in a preseason game.
With Wilson back in the mix, the Capitals will return nearly all of their first Stanley Cup championship team. Only backup goalie Philipp Grubauer and fourth-line center Jay Beagle have moved on.
Like the Penguins, the Capitals are also in a salary cap crunch. According to CapFriendly.com, Washington is now just under $1 million under the NHL's $79.5 million cap.