With the 2023-24 season nearing, players are prepping for training camp and eyeing the competition in their respective divisions. There has been some significant movement this summer during free agency and in the trade market. The highest-profile deal was almost certainly that of Erik Karlsson being dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
While the Karlsson deal had been progressing between Pittsburgh, San Jose and Montreal, the third team involved, another deal was happening in the Metropolitan Division. Not one that saw a player switch teams, but one that saw an important piece locked up in Washington for 7 more years. I am, of course, talking about Tom Wilson.
Wilson recently appeared on TSN 1050 where he was asked about the Caps' biggest NHL rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and their acquisition of Karlsson. Wilson gave Karlsson credit as an elite player, but added that he's a rival now and will be a target this season as the Caps look to disrupt what he'll attempt to bring to Pittsburgh.
Karlsson is a unique talent on the back end. It will be up to Wilson and company to make his life miserable all season long - and as we know, Wilson isn't exactly the guy you want looking for your number out there.
