Capitals' Wilson: Criticism of new deal 'doesn't really matter to me'

Tom Wilson says he isn't letting the haters get to him.

When asked Tuesday about the six-year contract he signed worth about $5.17 million annually in late July, the Washington Capitals forward downplayed the critics.

"It doesn't really matter to me what everybody says," Wilson told reporters, including theScore's John Matisz. "No matter what happens ... half the people are going to be happy, half the people aren't. That's just the way anything in life is, so I'm not going to read too much into it."

Wilson urged those criticizing the club to wait and see how the deal plays out, adding that linemate Evgeny Kuznetsov appreciates his game.

"We'll see in five or six years," Wilson said, according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "If you ask Kuzy, he'd rather I go and get the puck so he doesn't have to because it takes him out of the play."

Despite his occasional suspension-worthy style of play, Wilson secured a top-line role with the Capitals alongside Kuznetsov and captain Alex Ovechkin last season, producing a career-high 14 goals and 35 points to go along with 187 penalty minutes.

Copyright (C) 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.