GM_MZ_WSH
Joined: Apr. 2018
Posts: 296
Likes: 122
I still think he provides important leadership for the franchise. He has been the first to make significant changes to his game for every coach he had. He's adapted his game, gotten better at passing and playing more complete. He may not be a vocal leader but he leads by example on the ice. Not saying he's perfect, but he established a winning culture in DC via his leadership. Don't forget that after we went down 2-0 against CBJ in the first round, he and the other leaders held a players only meeting, and after that he guaranteed the Capitals would come back tied. The Caps then won 4 straight and ended up winning the Cup that year. Also I think helping a guy with his game is leadership. It's making the team better. Chaser was a 4th-liner who barely saw playing time with us yet he treated him with a ton of respect and made him a better player. Yeah, we had a lot of shortcomings. Were they all his fault? Absolutely not. Does anyone blame Yzerman for not winning until his 13th season? Does anyone blame Ray Borque for not winning until his 22nd season? No. I certainly don't think he says "hey Willy, go and take this guy out." (also he didn't even play that game after one shift which was 39 seconds because of a lingering lower body injury so yeah idk what your point there is). At this point it's on Wilson more than anyone to make that change. And fwiw I think he should have been suspended