[belsarius]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

I can say I do not think it was intentional, because I am not Dennis Wideman, and I am not inside his head. I can only say how I interpret what I saw.

I do not think he deliberately struck Henderson with an intent to injure (Rule 40.2) nor do I think he deliberately applied physical force without an intent to injure (Rule 40.3). I think he tried to get inside, was unaware that Henderson would be skating so fast towards him, and upon what turned into an inevitable collision, extended his arms in a manner of "better you than me".

I have done that exact same thing to opposing players and teammates, so that is how I came to that determination. Again, this is my interpretation, based upon what I saw, and what I know from playing. I cannot make a determination as to Wideman's intent, just like no other person here can.

That being said, the arm extension is the bad optic of it, and is why I can understand the league giving him a suspension, although I do not necessarily agree with it. I do not believe it falls under the 20 game category, as per the above, and also don't think it falls under the 10 game category, as I do not believe it was deliberate, but can understand how that determination could be made if they deem the arm follow through to be "deliberately applying force to an official", and it would not necessarily be the wrong finding.

Finally, based upon what has happened to date, I would not be surprised if he received a 3-5 game suspension, likely closer to 3, but do not believe he should get anything.

I think the 3-5 would be a good number in order to appease the optics of it, and his inattention did result in getting his arms up. 10 or 20 with deliberate intent to hit an official I don't see as likely when you look at not only the whole play but also at Wideman's history.