If Wideman hadn't sent that text, I think we'd be talking about the reduction.
The fact that he didn't look back to help the linesman up, combined with the fact that he's independently talking about the reason he thinks why he's getting investigated, both show no remorse. The on ice thing may slide by itself, but when combined with the comments after, no way the NHL would give benefit of the doubt, and since they already set it where they set it at 20 games (IMO to appease the refs), they can't come down as I am guessing even they thought would happen upon appeal....until the text message comes to light.
This will obviously set precedence for teams and players regarding their cellphones going forwards after any sort of on ice incident.
And yeah, even if Wideman wins the next process, he's close to missing 10 games anyways as Burke says, though I guess he'll get his money. But T99 is correct, this isn't about the Flames and Wideman, and its not even about Don Henderson. It's maybe not even about concussions, though that's part of it regarding the next fight the PA and the league will have; a fight that really is an early round battle regarding the push back from both sides in general regarding the next CBA. No side wants to lose this one.
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