Sports

NHLPA Files Appeal Of Wilson's 20-Game Suspension

October 5, 2018 / 2:47 PM EDT / CBS Detroit

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The NHL Players' Association has filed an appeal on behalf of Tom Wilson after the Capitals forward was suspended 20 games for an illegal check to the head.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 25: National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks onstage at Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit on October 25, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Yahoo)

The NHLPA announced the expected move Friday, which had to happen within 48 hours of the Department of Player Safety suspending Wilson. Commissioner Gary Bettman will hear the appeal, though the date has not been determined.

CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 13: Oskar Sundqvist #70 of the St Louis Blues in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on November 13, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Wilson was suspended for his hit on Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist in Washington's preseason finale. It is the fourth suspension of Wilson's career, all coming in the past 13 months, and will cost him over $1.26 million in salary as a repeat offender if it's upheld.

TAMPA, FL - MAY 23: Braydon Coburn #55 of the Tampa Bay Lightning fights with Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals during the first period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

This is the seventh appeal Bettman will hear since 2012. He upheld bans of 10 games for Antoine Vermette in 2017, 20 for Dennis Wideman in 2016 and 15 games for Shawn Thornton and 10 games for Patrick Kaleta in 2013. He reduced Daniel Carcillo's 10-game suspension to six in 2014 and Raffi Torres' 25-game suspension to 21 in 2012.

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 31: John Moore #2 of the New Jersey Devils is taken off the ice following a hit from Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals during the first period at the Prudential Center on December 31, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

If Bettman upholds this suspension, Wilson and the NHLPA could appeal to a neutral arbitrator. Wideman's ban for striking an official was reduced to 10 games by an arbitrator, though he had already served 19 by the time that decision was rendered.