Wideman Decision Expected Wednesday

[FlamesAddiction]

I am going to say 5-10 games, but not because I think he deserves them.

[Resolute 14]

I really don't know what to expect any more in terms of suspension. Elliotte Friedman has indicated that Rule 40 doesn't have to be followed at all since there was no game misconduct. I guess that would bring things under 'conduct detrimental to the league'. So while that argues Campbell could decided on less than the 10 game minimum rule 40 calls for, I can't imagine that the NHLOA would be pleased with a suspension much below that. My current guess then is 6-10 games, still leaning closer to 10.

[flamesfever]

If you notice when he gets up after being hit along the boards, the first thing he does is touch his head with his glove. I think this suggests he was suffering from a slight wooziness, which may explain his sudden awareness and reaction when he contacted the ref.

In any case, I think he may get 3 to 5 games.

[Matata]

I think it should be 5, but 5-10 seems realistic to me. The hit is just too bizarre looking to be completely intentional, but too savage looking to give a slap on the wrists.

[VladtheImpaler]

Can't vote because already voted.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

ripped up the old poll and added a new one

Hmmm. Apparently I cannot cast a vote on this poll, because it thinks that I have already voted.

In any event, I think it will be 10 games. I believe that that is the minimum specified in the wording of rule 40, and I think that the League will argue that the shot to the official on its own shows intent.

[Timbo]

The NHL will not take this lightly I believe it will be a severe suspension unfortunately for Widedog. I think in the range of 10-15
Also I cannot vote as it states I already voted which I never did.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Hahah the poll is some kinda broken.

10 games for the optics of it.

[Patek23]

I don't understand how people can say it wasn't intentional. That's just pure homerism to me. The only cop out I could buy is that he mistook the linesman for a Nashville player in that split second and gave him a shove. But to say he didn't lay into the push is BS. He tried to dodge the linesman with his feet and gave a solid two handed follow through with stick right into the back of him. He should be suspended 10 games for it and it's deserved.

[flamesfever]

I think a 10 game suspension would seriously affect our chances of making the playoffs. On the other hand, it may give us a much better pick in the draft.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I think he'll either get nothing and everyone will move on when the dust has settled, or he'll get about 5 games, since it doesn't appear that rule 40 applies.

[LanceUppercut]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I think a 10 game suspension would seriously affect our chances of making the playoffs. On the other hand, it may give us a much better pick in the draft.

Help it positively right? Wideman sure hasn't been helping the playoff chase lately.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This is probably repetitive, but my take is that the feet movement late shows the surprise and that it wasn't premeditated. So I don't buy the completely knew what he was doing argument.

However, I think he was generally pissy about getting hit in the corner, and then annoyed that the official was in his way and surprised him, and that's where I think he did shove the guy out of anger.

If he hunted him down it's 20 ... didn't
But he did push him once surprised ... so suspend him

his only way out is dazed from the hit wasn't thinking plea.

I interpret that little shimmy as a player wanting to express his frustration but aware enough to mitigate the impact and damage. By shifting to the side like he did he really minimized the collision while still having that release.

EDIT: I think the poll is messed up. Says I voted 0 games, but I haven't voted yet. For the record, I think it will be something like 5 but should be at least 10.

[burnitdown]

I think it's pretty clear it falls under the domain of a 10-game suspension for contact with a ref without intent to injure. Considering the options 5-10 and 10-15 both include 10, I suppose I could vote for either?? Probably would be better to list 5-9 then 10-14 as I'm guessing 10 games will be a popular option.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I think he'll either get nothing and everyone will move on when the dust has settled, or he'll get about 5 games, since it doesn't appear that rule 40 applies.

I think the writing is on the wall. I can't recall a player ever getting the "suspended indefinitely pending a hearing" threat and then never actually getting some kind of suspension.

If there was a chance that he wasn't going to be suspended, they probably would have just set a hearing and not bother with suspending him pending the hearing.

Not that I agree he should be suspended at all, but I am fully expecting given how they are handling it.

[442scotty]

Flattened the guy then kept skating as if nothing happened...lack of empathy shows very poorly... 10-20

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Flattened the guy then kept skating as if nothing happened...lack of empathy shows very poorly... 10-20

I'm seeing this thought process a lot but I think people have no concept of the situation.

I'm 99% certain that he was in significant pain and couldn't see/think straight due to the hit in the corner. This was not a malicious or egregious act. Simply a dazed and hurt player trying to get to the bench so he could recover.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I don't understand how people can say it wasn't intentional. That's just pure homerism to me. The only cop out I could buy is that he mistook the linesman for a Nashville player in that split second and gave him a shove. But to say he didn't lay into the push is BS. He tried to dodge the linesman with his feet and gave a solid two handed follow through with stick right into the back of him. He should be suspended 10 games for it and it's deserved.

It wasn't intentional. There's NO WAY it was intentional. There's no motive of any kind and it's completely out of character.

He was dazed and hurt from the hit in the corner and was trying to get to the bench. At the last moment he noticed someone coming towards him and put up his stick in reflex. No more, no less.

It sucks a lot and I really hope the official is okay.

But there is no intent here, it was not intentional. To say otherwise is just overanalyzing and love of drama.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Flattened the guy then kept skating as if nothing happened...lack of empathy shows very poorly... 10-20

If he stays on the ice, Flames get dinged with a too many men penalty or end up playing shorthanded while he's trying to do his best to show empathy. Refs get dinged many times over the coarse of a season, but you still play to the whistle.

(And this of coarse is not considering potentially being injured cause, well, I don't really know how injured he was obviously other then feeling pain in his shoulder/neck from what he said... which came from sustaining a hit from behind/head shot a few seconds, who cares about that cause Denis Wideman had a immature spontaneous temper tantrum!)

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I interpret that little shimmy as a player wanting to express his frustration but aware enough to mitigate the impact and damage. By shifting to the side like he did he really minimized the collision while still having that release.

EDIT: I think the poll is messed up. Says I voted 0 games, but I haven't voted yet. For the record, I think it will be something like 5 but should be at least 10.

I don't agree at all. There was nothing, nothing, then boom he launches into the guy. It's a very sudden and violent act. Watch it again and feel the anger.