[News] Bettman upholds 20 game Wideman suspension. NHLPA files appeal to neutral arbitrator

[united]

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/en/v3/ext/pdf...eman-Order.PDF

[locsofblu]

5 to many games of a suspension imo/.

[sureLoss]

Frank Seravalli ‏@frank_seravalli 3m3 minutes ago
Bettman says in decision he is "troubled" by Wideman's "total failure to accept any responsibility for his actions." (1/2)

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Wideman sent text msg to teammate on Feb. 2: "(t)he only problem and the only reason I'm here is cause the stupid refs and stupid media."

[Cube Inmate]

I ask again... how many examples have there been of Bettman overruling the initial punishment on "appeal?" Somebody more tuned in than me must know this.

[tvp2003]

#FreeWideman

(really, you can have him for free)

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Frank Seravalli ‏@frank_seravalli 3m3 minutes ago
Bettman says in decision he is "troubled" by Wideman's "total failure to accept any responsibility for his actions." (1/2)

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Wideman sent text msg to teammate on Feb. 2: "(t)he only problem and the only reason I'm here is cause the stupid refs and stupid media."

Some teammate to leak that text!

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Frank Seravalli ‏@frank_seravalli 3m3 minutes ago
Bettman says in decision he is "troubled" by Wideman's "total failure to accept any responsibility for his actions." (1/2)

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Wideman sent text msg to teammate on Feb. 2: "(t)he only problem and the only reason I'm here is cause the stupid refs and stupid media."

Weird,

Did someone on the team leak that message?

[DionTheDman]

Whoever it is, locker room cancer! Trade immediately! Rarrrrrr!

[SuperMatt18]

Ridiculous that this took a week to be decided.

[hockey.modern]

Man. the Flames locker room is really interesting this year

[Mass_nerder]

Kind of seems like the NHL is using this case to test the whole appeal process.

[The Voice of Reason]

Can't say I'm surprised.

The NHL can't let "I was concussed" become an excuse.

[Ashasx]

Why would a teammate leak that text?

It's a stupid thing to say (and I think he has a point re: the media), but how did the NHL get access to that information?

[Weitz]

Wow. Going to be interesting to see what happens.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Frank Seravalli ‏@frank_seravalli 3m3 minutes ago
Bettman says in decision he is "troubled" by Wideman's "total failure to accept any responsibility for his actions." (1/2)

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Wideman sent text msg to teammate on Feb. 2: "(t)he only problem and the only reason I'm here is cause the stupid refs and stupid media."

Just bizarre. How did Bettman get this?

He's right though. Wideman I mean. Not Bettman.

[sureLoss]

Summary of Bettman's decision:

In sum, I find that the expert testimony presented on behalf of the Player was speculative, at times contradictory, lacked support and was wholly insufficient to rebut the clear and convincing evidence provided by the video footage of the incident. In addition, I do not credit Mr. Wideman's
testimony. In particular, I do not credit his testimony that he tried to avoid the linesman at the last minute. He did not swerve out of the way and he did not merely bump into the linesman or put his hands or arms on him. As noted, he raised his stick and cross-checked him in the upper back. I do note, however, that Mr. Wideman's testimony on this point (which, like the rest of what he had to say, was accepted unquestioningly by the NHLPA's experts) is inconsistent with Dr. Kutcher's suggestion that he
lacked "situational awareness.

" Moreover, he was aware enough to tap his stick on the ice to signal a
line change and skate directly to the Calgary bench. His head was up as he did so and he testified that he recognized the person skating towards him as an official. He was not wobbly; indeed, he hit the official with full force and then continued to the Calgary bench. Even if one were to assume some level
of distress on Mr. Wideman's part as a result of a concussion or other injury caused by the Salomaki check, there was no sign that he was disoriented in any material way and his every instinct as an NHL player should have been to avoid hitting Mr. Henderson, as opposed to cross-checking him in the back.

In short, the record as a whole does not support the contention that Mr. Wideman's actions were the result of confusion, a failure of "impulse control"" or a loss of balance. Moreover, to find on a record such as this one that the Player was not responsible for the consequences of his actions would
set a precedent that could be easily manipulated in the future in a way that would make the game more dangerous for all participants, including players.


Having made this determination, I am left with the firm view that a significant suspension is appropriate. On-ice officials simply cannot be made the target of a player's frustration or anger. As noted above, the NHLPA observed that a reduced suspension is within the realm of possibility, though
the Union did not suggest one. I do not see a basis for a lesser penalty, particularly given the severity of the conduct involved.

On the other hand, I have the authority to impose a more substantial suspension, and I am troubled by Mr. Wideman's total failure to accept any responsibility for his actions. Indeed, although he made much at the hearing about the apologies he had already made to Mr. Henderson, the sincerity of
those apologies rings somewhat hollow given the text message he sent to a teammate on February 2— after the conclusion of the hearing before Mr. Campbell — that "[t]he only problem and the only reason I'm here is cause the stupid refs and stupid media. " (Exh. B) Nevertheless, in light of Mr. Wideman's prior exemplary disciplinary record, I decline to increase the suspension imposed by Mr. Campbell, which corresponds to the minimum penalty that would apply if Rule 40. 2 were applicable.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Just bizarre. How did Bettman get this?

He's right though. Wideman I mean. Not Bettman.

I dont deny that Wideman should be suspended, its just a ridiculous amount.

[You Need a Thneed]

I wonder whether the Wideman side brought up a text like that to support their side somehow? Otherwise, how would Gary ever have access to it?

Perhaps as evidence that Wideman thought he was being railroaded through?

[sureLoss]

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
How did the NHL get Wideman's text messages? Subpoena. I didn't know they had that power, but evidently they do.

[Envitro]

Text messages were subpoenaed by the NHL???