If Wideman has to be protected even though his contract will be weeks away from expiring, we are likely screwed. There will be zero possibility of a trade because no other team will want an expiring contract taking up a protected spot. In this scenario, he will have to be bought out. If he's not recovered from his triceps injury, it might not even be possible in the off-season. If all this happens, do the Flames tell Wideman to go home at the beginning of 16/17 to protect their expansion position? What if he's not healthy by the June window but is in late July? Do they let Colborne go to arbitration to open up another buy out window if Wideman is healthy by then? Hopefully Wideman just won't need to be protected at all but if he does, it could put the Flames in an awkward spot if he is injured during the June buyout window.
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