[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I think Wideman is remorseful but also angry how much this has carried on.

What gives him the right to be angry for how this is carrying on? Again, that shows a lack of character as Henderson just finished undergoing surgery, may never officiate again, and who knows what long-term quality of life issues he will have. But Wideman wants everyone to just drop this. He's texting his buddy Greg Campbell telling the refs are trying to start something while one of their own is injured...Hey, you know what, no one would be talking about this if he didn't appeal the decision twice.

If we assume, stupidly, that he was telling the truth to the experts (which contradicts himself, but whatever) then he doesn't know what happened. In which case, he very well might have attacked an official - under an altered state of mind. That should drag on. It brings up huge ramifications dealing with concussions and the NHL rules. Hockey players may be dumb, but even Phaneuf would realize what the NHLPA is arguing is extremely messy and was not going to get resolved in a day, or a week, or a month.

If the argument, as presented by the NHLPA, is that Wideman should not be penalized because he attacked an on-ice official while undergoing concussion symptoms, what happens with the next Chris Simon incident?

Let's say Daniel Sedin gets knocked down by Giordano in the corner and hits his head. On his way to the bench he lashes out and clubs Gaudreau in the head with his stick, ending Gaudreau's career. What do you think is appropriate suspension for Daniel? Assuming Daniel is diagnosed with a concussion. Let's even say we believe Daniel.

The NHLPA's stance, as shown by the Wideman case, is that a concussed player can not intentionally or deliberately intend to cause injury. As shown, time and time again by Brendan Shannahan and other members of player safety, intent is a huge a factor in suspensions. If we accept the NHLPA's position, in essence Daniel's attack on Gaudreau would be akin to an accidentally collision with no one at fault. And seeing as concussions are incredibly hard to diagnosis 'accurately' anyone could argue that they had a concussion and were just showing signs at the time of an 'incident.' Have fun with that ####-show of a league.

The NHL has no choice but to take the stance that a player is responsible for his actions regardless of circumstance. Yes, it's a neat philosophical question about whether we can be held responsible for our actions if we're in an altered state of mind, but the NHL can't change their stance here. You do something worthy of suspension, you do the time.

Trying to blame it on the refs and the media, just make you look like a jerk.

Wideman didn't text about the stupid refs untill a day or 2 after untill the circus show started around the situation.

After it was found out that Henderson spent the night in the hospital and was undergoing concussion symptoms himself..this isn't an argument in favour of Wideman.

The only people in this situation that look like bafoons are the NHL for letting Wideman and Henderson finish the game out.

I would say the Flames trainers also look bad. They can say that Wideman said he was fine, but as every doctor in this thread has said, it's quite obvious that Wideman was dealing with a concussion...