Mark Spector on Wideman:

[killer_carlson]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/d...-flames-alive/

Neat story on Wideman. Giving big props to him.

Also have to think it's a slap at the Leafs. Spector is sure to point out that the team benched its highest paid player on game 2 of the season, only to have the guy turn it around and have a career resurgence.

[AC]

Spector makes some good points, but criticizing Wideman for his point totals in his first 2 years here is a little silly without context.

First year: Lockout. 6 goals, 16 assists in 46 games. 39 point pace.
Second year: Broke his hand and played half a season again. 4 goals, 17 assists in 46 games. 37 point pace.
Third year: 12 goals, 32 assists in 66 games. 55 point pace.

He's improved this year in all aspects, no doubt about it. But he was brought in because he was a 40-50 point/season defenceman.

2011-12 for Washington: 46 in 82 games. 46 point pace.
2010-11 for Florida/Washington: 40 points in 75 games. 44 point pace.
2009-10 for Boston: 30 points in 76 games. 32 point pace.
2008-09 for Boston: 50 points in 79 games. 52 point pace.
2007-08 for Boston: 36 points in 81 games. 36 point pace.

He's actually been fairly consistent offensively for most of his last 8 seasons when healthy.

For a guy who has been a 39.99 pt/season guy over his entire career. His first 2 seasons as a Flame were basically what we should have expected, he's just kicked it up a notch this year thankfully.

[N-E-B]

It's remarkable what our top 4 has done this year. If we can solidify our bottom 2 or 3 this off-season I'd say we would have one of the strongest all-around bluelines in the NHL.

[GranteedEV]

“I’ve done quite a bit more in the gym than I have in the past, getting older, realizing that you need to do that to keep up to the young guys. I’ve tried to make a point to a little more in the gym. A lot of that has to do with watching Gio. And Z — he did a lot, too — but I was still young then.

Watching Gio every day and he was playing a lot of minutes and still getting his workouts in, still doing his stuff. This summer, I made a mental decision that I was going to try to do that a little more ... try to keep that up and see what happens. So far, it’s working out pretty good.”

[crapshoot]

Wideman is great, but it's still pretty amazing how many times each and every game the announcers get an opportunity to say "Wideman shoots it wide".

[FlameZilla]

I get nervous every time he attempts an outlet pass from his own zone. A huge percentage of those seem to end up on an enemy forechecker's stick. "Damnit Wideman, just get it to Russell!!!"

You have to be impressed with the offence he's provided this season. He's been an assist machine recently, even though the goals have dried up compared to how he started the season. Wideman is a bit of an enigma to me, but I'm glad he's on the team.

[Phil Russell]

I have always been a Wideman fan. There are a few shortcomings to his game, but he has great vision, a great shot, a great attitude and a good deal of clutchiness. Very underapreciated.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I get nervous every time he attempts an outlet pass from his own zone. A huge percentage of those seem to end up on an enemy forechecker's stick.

'huge percentage' = bull####

[Dime_On_Flames]

I like Widedog!!

[Vinny01]

Wideman has been worth every penny of that contract this year. His bounce back is a big reason the Flames are where they are. We have one of the best too 4's in the league when healthy

[ClubFlames]

I wonder if he gets 50+ points and ends up top 5 in dman scoring, will there be any consideration for a Norris nomination? The only downside would be his -1 rating.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

I wonder if he gets 50+ points and ends up top 5 in dman scoring, will there be any consideration for a Norris nomination? The only downside would be his -1 rating.

Not even close.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I get nervous every time he attempts an outlet pass from his own zone. A huge percentage of those seem to end up on an enemy forechecker's stick. "Damnit Wideman, just get it to Russell!!!"

You have to be impressed with the offence he's provided this season. He's been an assist machine recently, even though the goals have dried up compared to how he started the season. Wideman is a bit of an enigma to me, but I'm glad he's on the team.

He has the best first pass on the team.

Brodie is very good, Gio is very good, but Wideman has the best pass at hitting the forwards at pace (imo).

[heep223]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I get nervous every time he attempts an outlet pass from his own zone. A huge percentage of those seem to end up on an enemy forechecker's stick. "Damnit Wideman, just get it to Russell!!!"

I think you meant Diaz?

Because Wideman has a great first pass.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

“...And Z — he did a lot, too — but I was still young then.

You know the world's passing you by when your first instinct upon reading this is to think 'Zarley Zalapski'...

[CroFlames]

When Wideman was signed I said it was a great deal, and I still believe that.

It is just a bonus that he stepped up the points and goals this year.

[Huntsy]

When you consider what they gave up to get him..No name and a 5th rounder it makes the story even more amazing. Same as Russell - 5th round pick..Some trades do really shine through eventually..

[skudr248]

I love how the poll is "Will the Flames make the playoffs" 94% said yes. Makes me damn happy.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by heep223

I think you meant Diaz?

Because Wideman has a great first pass.

And he leads the team in Giveaways.

[CroFlames]

I will say that I have regained respect for Spector. He used to write such filth about the Flames and it was just pure untrue and Lambert-ish.

Even before the Flames big season this year though, he had the cojones to start writing truthful things about EDM and was willing to give CGY credit.

I've been actually reading Spec's stuff nowadays without rolling my eyes.