Funny that Russell was never a top 4 d-man until he was paired with Wideman... who has always been a top-4 d-man... and presto gizmo Russell is better than Wideman.
And Wideman is coming off of the best 30 game stretch of his career.
If there wasn't a back-log of Wideman is getting paid too much and should be traded with retained salary/bought out sentiment... Wideman might be given Hudler-like mentor and leadership status for helping along Russell and Gaudreau who he has shown on-ice chemistry.
Hartley was open that he allowed Wideman to manage his own ice-time because he was so responsible.
At the trade deadline Hartley/Wideman goofed with the press having Wideman leave a morning skate to amp up the rumor he was getting traded.... which would have meant that the Flames were giving up on the playoff run.
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