Tom Wilson got paid on Friday, and Twitter users can't wrap their heads around it.

The imposing, physical, reckless forward received a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.17 million, in the same neighborhood as the deals for recent restricted free-agent signees Jason Zucker, Elias Lindholm, Tomas Hertl, and J.T. Miller.

Wilson is coming off a career-high 35-point campaign - a low total for a forward making north of $5 million per year for the next six seasons. Of course, Twitter is up in arms.

Some people couldn't help but poke fun at Wilson's style of play, which has led to frequent run-ins with the NHL Department of Player Safety.

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The Washington Capitals re-signed forward Tom Wilson to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.17 million, the team announced Friday.

Wilson, 24, is coming off a career year in which he tallied 14 goals and 35 points while primarily skating on the Caps' top line alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. He cemented his breakout season with a stellar performance in the playoffs, contributing 15 points in 21 games.

While Wilson made strides offensively last year, physicality remains the name of his game. He racked up 187 penalty minutes and 250 hits last season and has become awfully familiar with the NHL Department of Player Safety over the course of his career.

Here's how Wilson's contract compares to similar deals signed by fellow restricted free agents this summer:

(Salary info courtesy: Cap Friendly)

Wilson doesn't have the same track record of production as those forwards, but with enforcers essentially extinct in the NHL, a player like him - who strikes fear into the opposition but can still skate and contribute offensively - is a rarity in today's game.

With Wilson's signing, the Caps have retained all of their RFAs. They only have $1.095 million in cap space, but they're bringing back the same team that won the Stanley Cup last season, minus fourth-line center Jay Beagle.

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Corey Crawford is still on the road to recovery after missing most of last season with reported vertigo-like symptoms.

"I'm not 100 percent yet, but I've come a long way in the last couple months," he told reporters at the Blackhawks Convention at the Hilton Chicago on Friday, according to Eric Lear of the team's website. "It hasn't been easy, but I'll be back."

When exactly Crawford will be back isn't crystal clear. Both general manager Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville expect him to be back in time for training camp and the start of the season, but Crawford himself isn't as confident.

"That's hard to say right now, but it's very possible," he told Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. "We've come a long way in the last couple months, and there's a really good chance that could happen."

Crawford didn't dive into any specifics regarding his injury or his off-ice workouts, but he did say "treatments are going well and we’re making small steps," according to Lazerus.

The 33-year-old hasn't played in a game since Dec. 23, and made only 28 appearances last year. He hasn't been on the ice since he re-joined the Blackhawks for practice in February, before he was shutdown for the remainder of the season.

When he did play a season ago, Crawford was brilliant, going 16-9-2 with a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. It goes without saying that Crawford's health is a major factor into whether or not the Blackhawks can return to the postseason during the upcoming campaign.

Veteran Cam Ward was signed for insurance, and Anton Forsberg is still in the fold, but even with a roster containing future Hall of Famers like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith, Crawford is arguably the team's most important player.

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NHL training camps won't convene for another two months, but it's never too early to look ahead.

Below, we highlight one up-and-coming prospect from every team in the Eastern Conference who's worth keeping an eye on throughout summer tournaments and when things get started in September. The Western Conference edition will be published Monday.

Blue Jackets: RW Vitaly Abramov, 20

Last season, Abramov became the highest-scoring import player in QMJHL history. Though he'll likely begin the season in the AHL, it shouldn't be long before his elite hockey smarts and superior puckhandling skills make an NHL appearance, and he may even push for a roster spot in September.

Bruins: C Ryan Donato, 22

Donato is an intriguing name to watch this season. He was excused from the latest Bruins development camp after a season that included an Olympic appearance with Team USA - which saw him net six points, including five goals - and 15 games with Boston, including three in the playoffs. He was also back in the gym alongside Bruins veterans just a week and a half after their postseason elimination. Expect him to contend for a spot with the big club come September.

Canadiens: C Jesperi Kotkaniemi, 18

When the Canadiens drafted Kotkaniemi third overall in June, it was clear they viewed him as a key part of the solution to their woes at center. Whether he'll be an immediate part of that solution remains to be seen, but Kotkaniemi is smart and dangerous offensively. He held his own against professionals in the Finnish Liiga, and will have the opportunity to prove he can do the same in the NHL.

Capitals: G Ilya Samsonov, 21

Samsonov, the Capitals' highly touted goalie prospect, is finally coming to North America. While the initial plan was likely to start him in the AHL (which is a good idea), the offseason trade of Philipp Grubauer could shake things up a bit. Either way, finally having Samsonov on this side of the pond is exciting.

Devils: RW Joey Anderson, 20

Anderson signed his entry-level contract with the Devils in April after winning an NCAA championship with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He's yet to make an appearance for New Jersey, but there are roster spots up for grabs this fall. Anderson is the kind of player to take that opportunity and run with it.

Flyers: C Morgan Frost, 19

The Flyers still need a third-line center, and reports indicate they're considering filling that spot from within the organization. One intriguing option is Frost, who's just 19 but is coming off a strong season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He's an incredibly smart player and has added considerable muscle over the last year. Whether he can snag an NHL spot just yet is up in the air, but it should be fun to watch him try.

Hurricanes: RW Andrei Svechnikov, 18

Saying Svechnikov could completely change the direction of this team is a heavy burden, but it's not far from the truth. For a long while, it's felt like the Hurricanes just needed one thing to put them over the top. With his dynamic, take-no-prisoners style of play, Svechnikov could be it. His 0.68 even-strength goals per game in the OHL last season was an almost comically good rate. Get excited to see how his game translates to the NHL.

Islanders: LW Kieffer Bellows, 20

Making the switch from the NCAA to the WHL was clearly the right choice for Bellows. It gave him a chance to play a longer season while acclimating to the more intense NHL and AHL pace. He's 20, so he won't have to return to the junior ranks if the Isles send him down. Given the loss of John Tavares and the signing of several depth forwards, however, there's a chance Bellows could play himself into an NHL roster spot at camp.

Lightning: RW Taylor Raddysh, 20

Who won't be exciting to watch for the Lightning at camp this fall? That's the real question. Taylor Raddysh is probably the one to keep an eye on, however. He finished his OHL career with the Greyhounds, and while the Syracuse Crunch are likely his next destination, it wouldn't be shocking to see him make a few injury call-up appearances this season.

Maple Leafs: D Timothy Liljegren, 19

There are almost too many exciting Maple Leafs prospects to choose from amid Toronto's impressive turnaround. Timothy Liljegren was a particularly good get on defense at No. 17 in 2017, and while he probably isn't NHL-ready yet, fans will enjoy getting a taste of what the future holds during camp. He had a pretty solid first season with the Marlies, and will only get better.

Panthers: C Henrik Borgstrom, 20

Borgstrom made his debut in March, playing in four games for the Panthers. It's not a stretch to think he's ready for a full season at the NHL level. The 20-year-old is a dynamic playmaker and brings a high-end offensive skill set that Florida was sorely lacking last season.

Penguins: C Teddy Blueger, 23

Blueger's been holding his own against NHL regulars in Da Beauty League, a Minnesota-based summer league that's grown rapidly in popularity via social media. He's still got some time in the AHL ahead of him, especially given the Penguins' depth at center, but he's one to keep an eye on during camp and beyond.

Rangers: C Filip Chytil, 18

Chytil played nine games with the Rangers last season. With New York in the midst of an on-the-fly rebuild, that number will likely be much higher in 2018-19. He's a slick and skilled offensive player who can think the game at high speeds - something new Rangers coach David Quinn will appreciate.

Red Wings: RW Filip Zadina, 18

Zadina was a tied-with-a-bow gift for the Red Wings at No. 6 overall, and there's a pretty solid chance he'll start this season on their roster. He's also just plain fun to watch, so fans should get excited to see him alongside NHL regulars even if he isn't quite ready yet.

Sabres: C Casey Mittelstadt, 19

Choosing Rasmus Dahlin as the Sabres' prospect to watch feels like cheating. Fortunately, there's another easy pick in their pool - Mittelstadt. Sure, he's already played in six games and had five points, and he's expected to be a roster mainstay, but he still counts as a prospect, and he's poised to make a splash.

Senators: C Logan Brown, 20

The Senators are kind of a mess. For some prospects, that might be a golden opportunity. Brown, who's coming off an injury-shortened season that included a bronze medal at the world juniors, is one player who should take advantage of that opportunity. Brown will undoubtedly go into camp with the goal of using his high-end playmaking skills to secure an NHL spot, rather than settling for playing in Belleville.

Hannah Stuart keeps a close eye on both drafted and draft-eligible prospects and can usually be found trying to learn more about hockey analytics. She has previously written for FanRag Sports, The Hockey Writers, and Hooked On Hockey Magazine, and can also be found at High Heels and High Sticks. Find her on Twitter at @HockeyWthHannah.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Mitch Marner may have led the Toronto Maple Leafs in scoring this past season, but he is still looking to carry more weight within the dressing room.

The 21-year-old's young complexion has seen him become the subject of jokes among teammates, but going forward he's hoping to shed that persona.

"I want to be taken more seriously, I guess you could say," Marner said, according to TSN. "I love the jokes about getting called a five-year-old and six-year-old and all that stuff, as I find it very amusing and funny, but obviously I want to be taken a bit more seriously (in the locker room) and taking even more upon myself.

"I think all young guys do (want to be taken more seriously), we all want to put more pressure on ourselves and be better every single night and going forward that's what we have to do."

While Marner would like to have a more prominent role in the dressing room, the hope is that the Maple Leafs will also increase their stature within the league. For them to do so, they will need to advance past the first round of the playoffs, which they've failed to do in each of the last two years.

"We obviously have a lot to prove this year," Marner said. "(In the past) we were happy with just getting into the playoffs, but after back-to-back first-round exits, it's obviously something we don't want to keep doing and this is the year that we have to step up our game to another level and challenge each other and like I said, we're excited for this moment."

The Maple Leafs added John Tavares to the fold in free agency and head coach Mike Babcock has already stated that he expects Marner to play alongside the new star center.

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As Gemel Smith prepares to make his case for a better deal, he'll now have one more obstacle in his way.

The Dallas Stars winger cleared waivers Friday, despite being free for the taking by the league's other 30 clubs. Smith's salary arbitration hearing is set for Wednesday.

Whether limited roster spots or lukewarm interest in Smith was the reason he went unclaimed, it may now be more difficult to argue that he's due for much of an uptick in pay heading into his third NHL season.

The 24-year-old is coming off a one-year deal worth $650,000, per CapFriendly. The contract also covered $75,000 in AHL salary, but Smith spent the entire season with the Stars, where he picked up 11 points in 46 games.

Waiving a player prior to his arbitration hearing hasn't been an uncommon move this offseason, as the Calgary Flames used the same maneuver earlier this month with defenseman Brett Kulak. Kulak also cleared waivers and was later awarded a one-year, $900,000 deal in arbitration.

Smith and the Stars will still have a chance to agree on a new contract before Wednesday's hearing.

Dallas selected the winger with the 104th pick of the 2012 draft.

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While there may still be uncertainty surrounding Erik Karlsson's future in Ottawa, one thing he won't have to worry about is his health.

The Ottawa Senators captain entered last season after undergoing surgery on his ankle to repair tendons. Because of this, he missed the first five games of the campaign and appeared to be a step behind his usual blistering pace. However, while speaking at the Canadian Open Pro-AM this week, Karlsson admitted his ankle feels better than ever.

"I think it's better now than it was before because you work on it so much," Karlsson said, according to The Athletic's Chris Stevenson. "I'm very optimistic moving forward from here. It shouldn't be an issue for me whatsoever, so that's nice.

"110 (percent) probably," he added. "It's that good."

After the season ended, Karlsson spent time with the doctor who performed the surgery and is now working with a foot specialist to help build his strength.

"I'm seeing another ankle specialist in Ottawa a lot, too," Karlsson said. "Mostly it's just getting strength back and getting used to the feeling, which takes a bit of time now and that time is past. I've got my new normal again and it feels great."

Despite a down season by his standards, Karlsson still tied Mark Stone for the team high in points with 62 in 71 games. With health no longer a concern, the 28-year-old should enter the season, once again, as a potential Norris Trophy candidate.

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If Jim Nill has his way, there won't be any Tyler Seguin sweepstakes next summer.

That's because the Dallas Stars general manager hopes to ink his franchise center to an extension prior to the start of the coming season.

Seguin, 26, is entering the final year of his current six-year, $34.5-million pact and was eligible to sign a new deal as of July 1.

Related: An early look at 2019's star-studded free-agent class

Nill is optimistic a deal can get done prior to the Stars' season-opening game on Oct. 4 against the Arizona Coyotes.

"I hope so," Nill told Stars team reporter Mark Stepneski. "But I think I have mentioned from Day 1 that I don't want people to panic if he is not signed when the season starts.

"I think the biggest thing is we need to have a good season - get off to a good start. I hope he is signed by then, but I know if he isn't, we'll get a good year out of him and go from there. But like I said, I am hopeful we can get it done. We'll have to see."

Negotiations with Seguin's camp are ongoing, with Nill classifying the talks as complicated given the nature of a new deal.

"There are a lot of different things that go into this. There are signing bonuses, lockout protections," Nill added. "There are a lot of different angles to these negotiations that come into play. We're just continuing the dialogue and going from there."

Seguin appeared in all 82 games last season, and finished with a team-leading 40 goals, while his 78 points were one shy of captain Jamie Benn for top spot.

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The Vancouver Canucks don't plan to make an outside hire in the foreseeable future following the departure of president of hockey operations Trevor Linden.

Related: Canucks, president of hockey operations Trevor Linden part ways

The Canucks and Linden parted ways Wednesday after four years. Following the news, team owner Francesco Aquilini stated that general manager Jim Benning would take on Linden's responsibilities, and Benning said during a press conference Thursday that he expects to keep the new job for the time being.

"(Aquilini) said he's not looking to hire someone as the president of hockey operations," Benning said, according to The Canadian Press.

Meanwhile, Linden's exit doesn't appear to have caused any change in philosophy within the organization. The Canucks plan to continue with their rebuild, which Aquilini remains supportive of, Benning added.

"He's on board," Benning said. "He doesn't interfere with what we do. He listens to us, he asks questions and then he lets us do what we need to do."

Vancouver hasn't made the playoffs since the 2014-15 season, when the club was ousted in the first round by the Calgary Flames, and have missed the postseason in four of the last five seasons.

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