"That's just hockey," the Capitals forward said with a smile.
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson said he was walking the dog with his wife and scrolling on his phone when he found out he was among the top 10 players that others want to punch in The Athletic's new anonymous player poll — and he had quite the response.
Wilson met with reporters on media day to open the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend on Thursday, and he had a quick response ready when asked by Monumental Sports Network's Tarik El-Bashir about The Athletic's player poll and the one unnamed player who said, "He's not a rat. I respect that. But I'd still like to punch him."
"I'd probably punch that guy in the face, too," Wilson quipped with reporters in Toronto. "Whoever it was, I don't know. Like, that's just hockey."
Wilson has been in four fights so far this season and recently recovered from a broken nose suffered after accidentally taking the butt-end of Alex Laferriere's stick to the face back in January. He was in a nose splint and fishbowl for weeks after the injury.
The 29-year-old is making his second NHL All-Star Game appearance and has 21 points in 46 games this season, as well as 86 PIM. His 24 drawn penalties are the most on the Capitals and among the most in the league, and he still has a reputation around the league.
Looking at the poll, Wilson said it gave him a good laugh, and he was happy that he didn't end up ranking higher.
"(Me and my wife) laughed. Whoever the anonymous (comment) was, that's pretty good. At least I was seventh on the list," he pointed out. "So we'll take it. Top 10."