Three Majors and a Minor – Wilson, MacKinnon and Blackhawks

After a week off Three Majors and a Minor is back. While last week had few talking points, this week upped the ante in a big-time way. So let’s jump straight into this week’s three majors and a minor talking points.

WILSON WON’T LEARN

Tom Wilson has been suspended four times already in his career and by the time you read this it should be five. There is no doubt he is getting something for his dangerous hit on Boston Bruins Brandon Carlo that ended up with the defenseman transported to hospital, it’s just a matter of how many games. Wilson got a 20 game suspension in 2018 for an illegal head hit on St. Louis Blues player Oskar Sundqvist which was reduced to 14 upon appeal, meaning this go-round could easily push 30 games or more.

Wilson said during an interview with NBC Sports Washington in 2020 that he “just wanted to go out there and play tough” but surely you can play tough without seriously injuring opponents. Because of this Wilson has gotten the reputation as a modern-day Goon which belittles the skills he possesses. He also fought twice during the Washington Capitals 5-1 loss at Boston.

MACKINNON OUT

Speaking of illegal hits the San Jose Sharks forward Joachim Blichfeld has been suspended two games for an illegal hit to the head on Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon during Wednesday night’s 4-0 Av’s win. The suspension will do little to soothe the Avalanche’s worries as it looks like their star player could be out for a while with a concussion. MacKinnon left the game immediately and despite training Friday morning in preparation for the game against the Anaheim Ducks was pulled before puck drop and replaced by Kiefer Sherwood.

After the game coach Jared Bednar told the media:

“The protocol says he can’t play, and we’re not going to put him out there and risk him getting hurt or something, or making it worse. I don’t know what that means as far as tomorrow or the next day, but I’m assuming he’s going to miss a couple games here.”

Jared Bednar on the condition of Nathan MacKinnon

This begs the question, should players be suspended for the length of the injury they cause?

BINNINGTON THROWS A TANTRUM

Quite possibly the funniest thing I saw this week was St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington being pulled from their game against the San Jose Sharks and then proceeding to try to fight everyone as he makes his way to the dressing room. First, it was Radim Simek, then he threw a punch at Erik Karlsson before it finally looked like he was going to throw down with opposite goaltender Devan Dubnyk. It didn’t happen and Binnington left as the St. Louis Blues ended up winning 7-6 despite being 4-3 down when he was pulled.

HAWKS HUMMING ALONG

The surprise story has to be the Chicago Blackhawks. Going into the season missing their captain Jonathan Toews seems to be a case of “don’t embarrass yourself too much”. Instead, they are 13-7-5 in the Discover Central Division and just beat the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in a shootout. Could the Blackhawks rebuild be speeding up?

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