Tom Wilson is already stirring up trouble for the Capitals, and it's only the NHL preseason

The next NHL season hasn’t even started yet and Tom Wilson is already getting under hockey fans’ skin.

It’s training camp and preseason time for the NHL as the 2021-22 season continues to creep closer. On Sunday, the Washington Capitals were hosting the Boston Bruins in their first preseason game of the month when a familiar face to all hockey fans caused a bit of a dust up in the first period.

Off a faceoff, Wilson and Bruins’ Anton Blidh were fighting for position when the former got his elbow up into the face of his opposition. The exchange ended as Wilson got one final elbow back into Blidh’s face before skating away, with no penalties on either side.

Anton Blidh and Tom Wilson exchange pleasantries: pic.twitter.com/DVh0le6lHX

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) September 26, 2021

A small exchange, to be sure, but one that clearly ruffled feathers on the Bruins and annoyed quite a few hockey fans because… it’s the preseason, Tom!

It is the very first preseason game and Tom Wilson is already throwing elbows around. Dude, chill!

— Rachel Doerrie (@racheldoerrie) September 26, 2021

Tom Wilson already elbowing people. Hockey is back.

— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) September 26, 2021

Didn't take long for Tom Wilson to return to midseason form. https://t.co/ak6OzlVfxH

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) September 26, 2021

Doesn't seem like Tom Wilson is planning to mend any fences with the Bruins this season

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) September 26, 2021

Wilson is no stranger to drawing ire across the NHL, especially with the way last regular season ended between the Capitals and Rangers. However, let’s hope that this year is finally the year Wilson contains himself or the NHL steps up and does it for him.