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Originally Posted by Locke
This is all about the NHL setting a precedent in regards to the Concussion lawsuits.
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Why are we blaming the NHL?
The NHL suspended Wideman 20 games for his crosscheck. They saw it as intentional, rightfully or wrongfully. It had nothing to do with a concussion. It was Wideman in the media telling everyone he was fine from the hit and just didn't see the linesman.
It was the NHLPA who hired two concussion experts to testify the impacts of concussion for Wideman's appeal. They were the ones who wrote reports on how Wideman's impulse control was affected by the hit and how his behaviour changed after a half hour skype call with the doctors (in between hiking and golfing)...
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Originally Posted by Report
"Indeed, behavioural changes — including
aggressive and even combative behaviours — are commonly reported behavioural hallmarks of head
trauma. "
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Originally Posted by Report
"it is my view that Mr. Wideman's usual capacity to exercise his
judgment and to control his impulses was significantly affected by the head trauma that he experienced
during the January 27, 2016 game for the period immediately after that incident. "
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I don't see why we're letting the NHLPA off the hook, they wanted to make this as much of a concussion incident as possible. If Wideman had just said it was an accident and fought for a reduce sentence following Rule 40, maybe they do and everyone is 'happy.' Instead the NHLPA was blowing smoke up Campbell's ass about how Wideman can't be suspended when he had no control of his actions and was concussed. And I'm sure if Wideman attacked another player like that instead of an official, the NHLPA isn't going to bat about how you can't suspend individuals because they are concussed, but because it's a rare situation where only one player was involved in the altercation, it made it a perfect opportunity for the NHLPA.