Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] Bettman upholds 20 game Wideman suspension. NHLPA files appeal to neutral arbitrator

Krule · 02-18-2016, 11:57 AM

After reading all 15 pages on this particular topic (because I have nothing better to do at work today LOL) I'd like to thank everyone for their OPINIONS on what has transpired to date. I have watched the video more times than I'd care to admit and I am not going to rehash everyone's opinion on that. I have my own. I'll leave it at that.

I have to say that while I do agree with the suspension, a ref needs to be protected no matter the circumstance, but the manner in which the NHL dishes out discipline is totally inconsistent. We have all seen the video evidence for collisions between refs vs. players and players vs. players that have not received any or very little media coverage. Not to mention no disciplinary actions taken by the NHL. I also have to agree that will be a precedent setting case with relation to concussion protocol and is no longer an issue between Wideman and the NHL, but an ongoing battle between the NHLPA and the NHL.

I also think something is being missed here too. Firstly, the Flames dropped the ball. It has always been my opinion that relying on the player, in this case Wideman, to confirm whether he is concussed or not to the doctor is a mistake. Take that out of the equation and make the standard protocol that he be sent to the quiet room for a period of required time for evaluation, since he clearly had some issues on the bench. (My opinion)

Secondly, the officials also dropped the ball. Henderson clearly had problems gathering himself off the ice after the collision too. Yet, there is no mention that he should also be following the same concussion protocol. IMHO, he should have been examined as well and sent to the quiet room for assessment. It's not like there was never a game played without the 4th official. We find out the following day that he spent the night at the hospital.

I think the rules for concussion protocol, if everyone concerned was serious about this issue, would apply to everyone on the ice, no matter the uniform. The opportunity to improve the protocols should be paramount in any discussion going forward.

02-18-2016, 11:57 AM	#302
Krule Draft Pick Join Date: Feb 2015	After reading all 15 pages on this particular topic (because I have nothing better to do at work today LOL) I'd like to thank everyone for their OPINIONS on what has transpired to date. I have watched the video more times than I'd care to admit and I am not going to rehash everyone's opinion on that. I have my own. I'll leave it at that. I have to say that while I do agree with the suspension, a ref needs to be protected no matter the circumstance, but the manner in which the NHL dishes out discipline is totally inconsistent. We have all seen the video evidence for collisions between refs vs. players and players vs. players that have not received any or very little media coverage. Not to mention no disciplinary actions taken by the NHL. I also have to agree that will be a precedent setting case with relation to concussion protocol and is no longer an issue between Wideman and the NHL, but an ongoing battle between the NHLPA and the NHL. I also think something is being missed here too. Firstly, the Flames dropped the ball. It has always been my opinion that relying on the player, in this case Wideman, to confirm whether he is concussed or not to the doctor is a mistake. Take that out of the equation and make the standard protocol that he be sent to the quiet room for a period of required time for evaluation, since he clearly had some issues on the bench. (My opinion) Secondly, the officials also dropped the ball. Henderson clearly had problems gathering himself off the ice after the collision too. Yet, there is no mention that he should also be following the same concussion protocol. IMHO, he should have been examined as well and sent to the quiet room for assessment. It's not like there was never a game played without the 4th official. We find out the following day that he spent the night at the hospital. I think the rules for concussion protocol, if everyone concerned was serious about this issue, would apply to everyone on the ice, no matter the uniform. The opportunity to improve the protocols should be paramount in any discussion going forward.