NHL News: Rangers Frown At Penalties Meted On Capitals Player, Call For Official’s Removal
KEY POINTS
- The Rangers want NHL executive George Parros removed after handing out light sanctions on Tom Wilson
- The Rangers feel Wilson deserved to be suspended for inciting a brawl
- Wilson was fined $5,000 but escaped suspension
The New York Rangers are understandably upset with the sanctions the NHL handed out to Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals.
Responsible for the mayhem that occurred recently, the Canadian was fined $5,000 but escaped suspension. The Rangers felt that 27-year-old got off a bit easier.
Wilson was the main protagonist in a pair of incidents on Monday night. The first one occurred in the second period at the Madison Square Garden when he was spotted punching Pavel Buchnevich in the head.
Aside from that, he also executed a bodyslam on Artemiy Panarin during the scrum.
The Rangers felt that the horrifying acts of Wilson merited a suspension. They also pointed out that Capitals player is a perennial offender, someone who has had a history of NHL suspensions.
The sanction was handed out by the head of the NHL Department of Player Safety George Parros, and now the Rangers are battling for his removal, ESPN reported.
"We view this as a dereliction of duty by NHL Head of Player Safety, George Parros, and believe he is unfit to continue in his current role," the Rangers said in a statement.
Panarin ended up with a lower-body injury that prevented him from returning in the third period.
On the other hand, Wilson was handed only two minor roughing penalties and a 10-minute misconduct. He returned in the third period and even scored a goal.
Wilson drew the ire, even more, when he flexed as he was headed to the penalty box. In the eyes of critics, he had his agenda and was unafraid to start a fight.
The Canadian has been known for his roughhousing plays in the past. That included a seven-game suspension for a hit on Brandon Carlo of the Boston Bruins that left the 24-year-old hospitalized.
Other than that, there was a 14-game suspension the right-winger served for an illegal hit on Oskar Sundqvist during the 2018-19 preseason.
The Capitals vs. Rangers' skirmish also proved to be a double-whammy on the Rangers. They were also eliminated from the NHL playoffs after the Bruins won over the New Jersey Devils.
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