NHL notebook: Caps’ Wilson appealing suspension

[October 06, 2018]  Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has appealed the 20-game suspension he received Wednesday from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for a check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist.

After Capitals coach Todd Reirden made the suspension known Thursday, the NHL Players Association confirmed the filing of an appeal Friday on Wilson's behalf.

Wilson had an in-person hearing with the league Wednesday and had 48 hours from the time of receiving the suspension to provide an appeal in writing to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who would be the first to review the case.

If the full suspension is upheld, Wilson would forfeit nearly $1.3 million in pay and be ineligible to play until Nov. 21, when the Capitals face the Chicago Blackhawks.

--New Jersey Devils forward Jesper Bratt was placed on injured reserve, one day after suffering a broken jaw when struck by a puck during practice.

The 20-year-old Bratt is expected to miss two to three weeks, beginning with Saturday's opener against the Edmonton Oilers in Gothenburg, Sweden.

"He has a fracture, and no surgery is needed so that's good news," New Jersey coach John Hynes told reporters. "He should be able to continue his physical activity over the course of (rehab) and he'll be back ready to go when the time comes."

Sep 30, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) gestures after receiving a match penalty against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

--The Calgary Flames placed defenseman Travis Hamonic on injured reserved with a facial fracture. The move is retroactive to Oct. 3.

The 28-year-old Hamonic, in his ninth NHL season but just his second with the Flames, was injured Wednesday in the 5-2 season-opening loss to the Vancouver Canucks. He is out week to week, according to the Flames.

Hamonic was involved in a fight with Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson in the first period of Wednesday's game.

--Field Level Media

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