The 29-year-old wants to finish his career in D.C., and the feeling is mutual for management.
ARLINGTON, V.A. -- Since going 16th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, the only NHL sweater that Tom Wilson has known is the Washington Capitals jersey. And, as he approaches the end of his contract, he can't imagine ever wearing another one.
And, as he becomes extension-eligible on July 1 and enters the final year of his contract, he made it clear that his desire is to remain in the District.
"Everyone knows I love it here and I want to be here, no matter what happens," Wilson said.
It's no secret that Wilson loves the city and the organization, as he's risen to prominence and went from a hard-hitting player with a reputation to a leader in the dressing room, a key member of the core and a top-6 winger who can score goals, bring grit and put up 50-plus points in a season.
Wilson carries an AAV of $5.167 million, and given his growth and production, as well as his role in the dressing room and value to the team, he has earned a significant raise. For No. 43, though, his next deal won't be about that, and he's not focused on a big payday.
Instead, his priority is sticking with the club through thick and thin, as well as leading the Capitals back to being a top playoff team while giving them another chance at a Stanley Cup after a rough year saw them miss the postseason for the first time in nine years.
"I'm not a guy that's going to play hardball or say I don't want to be here... I want to help this city win games, and I think -- who knows what's going to happen over the summer into next year -- if I do my job and we start winning games and the team's playing well, there's not going to be a lot of question marks," Wilson noted.
For management, the feeling is mutual, and the team has already made it clear that Wilson is a key part of the organization's future.
"I'd like for Tom to finish up in Washington," general manager Brian MacLellan said. "He's been a big part of our culture, our group. He's consistently gotten better throughout the years. We're going to do everything we can to sign him."
In the end, while Wilson knows that the industry changes all the time, and if the team fails to get back in the playoff picture, he knows that the course of the organization could change. However, he is just as willing as the front office to get a new deal in place that would secure his future in Washington, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to stay.
"Obviously there's a business part of it where stuff can happen and different outside things -- whether it's me or the team or whatever, shit happens, you never know. But for me, I just can't imagine playing for any other team," Wilson said. "I don't want that to happen. Weirder things have happened. It's part of the game, and it's part of being an athlete. I like it here, and hopefully, it sorts itself out."