Wideman Decision Expected Wednesday

[PeteMoss]

I wonder if this had been Brodie or Gaudreau if all 'he did this on purpose' people would have the same opinion.

There is no way this was intentional. He may get suspended because he did hit the ref but he didn't do it on purpose.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The officials have no heart at all. I mean one of their guys got hit from behind and no one jumped in to defend him (even if it was an accident). That's bush league.

Wouldn't be the case if the instigator rule wasn't in play. When will the nhl wake up and let the officials police the game themselves.

[stamps]

Dennis Wideman is innocent .... it was an accident ....

[speede5]

He definitely tried to stop, but it looks like he shoved him once contact was made. Looks worse in slo mo than at speed.

He's also skating to the bench probably not very focused on the play and the linesman is coming in at game speed, I think it looks worse than it is and it will be ruled accidental.

[calculoso]

Officials are untouchable. 5 games at least, probably 10+.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What a weird play. I think the linesman will protect Wideman.

Maybe a game or two.

If its a big suspension im done.

If the league decides Wideman's actions were abuse of an official, it would likely be 10 games under rule 40.2. I'm not sure what other rule Bettman could use to suspend Wideman for (40.3 doesn't fit, imo) but the league has shown in the past it can get creative.

[Jordan!]

That was no accident, and quite frankly it's hilarious how close this poll is. His anger and frustration from getting rocked caused him to in a split second make that stupid decision to take out said frustration on whatever was in front of him: The Linesman

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by New Era

I think Wideman had his head down and wasn't aware the linesman was there until the last minute, when he instinctively put his hands and stick up to protect himself and deviate his course to the bench. Looks bad but accidental.

This was in front of the Nashville bench, not the Flames bench. He completely veered towards the linesman and away from the straight line to the bench. He could have easily gone the other way.

Hands/stick up to protect? No excuse - we've seen suspensions for high sticks to the face in this same instance.

[Jordan!]

He hit the linesman with his stick, it wasn't a collision.. what angle are some of you watching?? wow

[habernac]

It was a reflex action from someone who was clearly not in his correct frame of mind. He shouldn't have played another shift until he went through concussion protocol

[Poe969]

Can the Flames pull a Kings here and find a way to get out of Wideman's contract saying that's not the kind of guy they want on the team?

[loob job]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

That was no accident, and quite frankly it's hilarious how close this poll is. His anger and frustration from getting rocked caused him to in a split second make that stupid decision to take out said frustration on whatever was in front of him: The Linesman

Couldn't agree more.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by habernac

It was a reflex action from someone who was clearly not in his correct frame of mind. He shouldn't have played another shift until he went through concussion protocol

This, I 100% agree with. It was intentional for SURE, but he was clearly out of it.

[The Fonz]

I feel like they could do studies on how people perceive the intent in this video.

I sit here, thinking to myself "how could anyone possibly believe that was on purpose?". It seems painfully obvious to me that he was gliding off for a line change, the ref began skating backwards, and at the last second Wideman tried to stop up and even jump to the right away from the bench he's trying to get to, and incidental contact was made.

Then we have others in this thread saying "how can anyone believe that was accidental?".

I'll put the suspension @ 0 games.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

This, I 100% agree with. It was intentional for SURE, but he was clearly out of it.

Just because you believe it, doesn't make it for SURE.

[flambers]

I selected "no suspension", player looked dazed after the hit in the corner.

In my view, there was no intent with the contact it was purely accidental.

[Badgers Nose]

The linesman was a wimp. If he doesn't stand up for himself, when will the abuse end?

They have to police themselves. He should have challenged Wideman to a fight.

I selected 'Suspension' because it will be the only way to get him off the roster.

[Toonage]

#FreeWideman

[TheScorpion]

The DOPS has yet to release a statement on Twitter, like these:

NHL Player Safety ‏@NHLPlayerSafety Jan 24 Los Angeles' Milan Lucic will have a hearing today for roughing/sucker punch on Arizona's Kevin Connauton.


NHL Player Safety ‏@NHLPlayerSafety Jan 13
New Jersey's Bobby Farnham will have a hearing today for interference on St. Louis' Dmitrij Jaskin.

[Poe969]

The news is that there's no news.

I think this is being blown way out of proportion...I don't want to blame HF boards or any posters in particular but...