GM George McPhee thinks that Tom Wilson could be better off playing this season in junior hockey. McPhee said that he does not love playing teenagers and then stated: "The benefits are he plays a lot more," when asked if he should be back in junior hockey. "He plays the power play, penalty kill, everything else. But is it not enough? Does he need more? If you keep him here does he develop better habits playing here even though he's not playing as much as you like? It's something you keep watching." The Capitals have a big decision to make although they could wait nine NHL games and see how he progresses.

In three preseason games, Tom Wilson has two goals and two fights and has done everything to stay on Washington's roster with about a week before final roster cuts. "I've got to prove to them I'm worthy of staying around," Wilson said. "I just need to stay humble, work hard, do the blue collar stuff and stay around as long as possible." Wilson, 6-foot-4 and 217 pounds, may still be growing at 19. He is an impressive player and a bona fide rookie-of-the-year candidate. With Plymouth of the OHL last season, Wilson had 58 points (23 games) in 48 games.

Capitals coach Adam Oates wants Tom Wilson to be part of the Capitals' opening game roster. Capitals GM George McPhee will make the final determination, but getting the head coaches public endorsement is huge. Wilson is battling for a roster spot after enjoying a three-game stint with the Capitals in 2013. "We need what he brings," Oates said. "We have some smaller guys in certain positions and he's a big, strong guy and that will always help." Wilson isn't eligible to play in the AHL yet, so he'll either play for the Capitals or OHL Plymouth Whalers.

Tom Wilson wants to be playing in the NHL this season, but if he isn't then playing for Team Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship is high on his wishlist. "Hopefully I can stay up [in the NHL] as long as I can, but it's a tremendous honor to play for Hockey Canada," he said. "It's been a dream of mine since I was tiny." Wilson was cut from the squad last year. He hasn't played with the Capitals in the regular season, but skated in three playoff contests with Washington in May. Wilson would probably benefit from a trial NHL period in 2013-14 if he can stick with the team following training camp.

Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates expressed his desire to see prominent prospect Tom Wilson do more than just throw his weight around. He's concerned that Wilson will develop bad habits, especially if he returns to the OHL. "Where he plays he's such a big man, the one thing that we don't want is for him to get in lazy habits because he dwarfs everybody over there [in the OHL]," Oates said. "I mentioned Troy Brouwer's stick - he's a big man like him and he's figured it out - so just experiment with it and try to maximize a little bit more."

Tom Wilson will remain in the lineup for Monday's Game 7 against the New York Rangers. Both Wilson and Aaron Volpatti took pregame warmups after coach Adam Oates said he might change his lineup for Game 7. Wilson will skate on the fourth line again and likely be limited to under eight minutes.

Tom Wilson played only six minutes and 24 seconds in his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals on Friday night, but the young winger still managed to make a solid first impression. He was credited with a shot on goal and four hits in just eight shifts while demonstrating his strong skating ability and ably protecting the puck with his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. "For a 19-year-old to come in and establish a little bit of a presence out there and not back down from anyone, starting stuff and playing a solid fourth-line game, that says a lot about his character," said Jay Beagle, who skated on the fourth line with Wilson. Coach Adam Oates said that if not for the penalties the Capitals took early on in the game, he likely would have used Wilson more. So don't be surprised to see more ice time for the 2012 first-round draft pick against the New York Rangers today, depending on the game situation.

Tom Wilson will make his NHL debut in Game 5 Friday night. The 16th overall pick in the 2012 draft recorded 58 points and 104 penalty minutes in 48 games with Plymouth of the OHL this season. He plays a physical style and he's capable of chipping in offensively. Coach Adam Oates said he's looking for a "spark" and Wilson could provide that on the fourth line alongside Matt Hendricks and Jay Beagle.

Tom Wilson has been recalled by Washington and he might play in Game 5 on Friday night. He skated with Matt Hendricks and Jay Beagle on the fourth line during Thursday's practice. Joey Crabb, who was also called up from the minors Thursday, joined extras Wojtek Wolski, Aaron Volpatti and Brooks Laich. Coach Adam Oates would not confirm Wilson's presence in the lineup, but said Crabb, Wolski and Volpatti are options to play as well.

Tom Wilson has been returned to his junior team in Plymouth. He was called up to participate in part of Washington's training camp. The 16th overall pick in the 2012 draft has put up 36 points and 59 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Whalers this OHL campaign. He'll probably get a longer look at camp next fall.