Nashville Predators forward Colin Wilson becomes a restricted free agent in the off-season, and it is clear he wants an expensive, long-term contract.
Wilson, 25, had a career year in his sixth season with the Predators scoring 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 77 games. His +19 rating ranked among the NHL’s top 30.
Sometimes regular season success does not always translate into playoff success. Playoffs are a different animal. However, the native of Greenwich, Connecticut has been a major offensive contributor for the Predators in their opening two games of their first round match-up against the Chicago Blackhawks. Wilson has Corey Crawford figured out having scored three goals on twelve shots.
Such success has made him a target by other Blackhawks players. After Nashville took an unfathomable 6-2 lead in Game 2, Chicago forward Kris Versteeg tried to hit the 6-foot-1, 216-pound Wilson from behind before the final horn sounded.
GIF Versteeg hit that led to scrum and roughing minor for him pic.twitter.com/SAYIOnnwzD
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) April 18, 2015
In 2012, the Predators signed Wilson to a three-year, $6 million contract worth $1.5 million in 2012-13, $2 million in 2013-14 and $2.5 million in 2014-15. As long as he continues to contribute offensively, Wilson should be receiving a well-deserved $4 million per year contract this summer.
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Colin Fitts is a Nashville Predators staff writer for The Hockey Writers. You can follow him on Twitter, @FittsTHW.