Wideman Decision Expected Wednesday

[the2bears]

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.

This thread has lots of reasonable explanations. Have you read it?

[sworkhard]

I think Kerry Fraser analyzed it correctly. No intent to injure, was probably not paying attention, saw him at the last second, and like any well trained defenseman, laid out a solid crosscheck instinctively. He height he put his hands is exactly where a person surprised by an imminent collision puts them.

I think he'll get 10 games if the league uses rule 40, 5 if they don't.

I think he should get 3-5 games as it's ultimately his responsibility to pay attention while on the ice, even if he's distracted by a sore neck and shoulder

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Hockey

I'm so confused by this. To me it looks like he did it on purpose, but I just can't see him or anyone doing that on purpose.

Maybe from the front Wideman had an "oh no" look on his face. He could been distracted by the earlier play, accidentally ran into the ref, and then put his hands up to avoid the collision.

From the back, however, it looks like he did it on purpose.

[IamNotKenKing]

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.

I can say I do not think it was intentional, because I am not Dennis Wideman, and I am not inside his head. I can only say how I interpret what I saw.

I do not think he deliberately struck Henderson with an intent to injure (Rule 40.2) nor do I think he deliberately applied physical force without an intent to injure (Rule 40.3). I think he tried to get inside, was unaware that Henderson would be skating so fast towards him, and upon what turned into an inevitable collision, extended his arms in a manner of "better you than me".

I have done that exact same thing to opposing players and teammates, so that is how I came to that determination. Again, this is my interpretation, based upon what I saw, and what I know from playing. I cannot make a determination as to Wideman's intent, just like no other person here can.

That being said, the arm extension is the bad optic of it, and is why I can understand the league giving him a suspension, although I do not necessarily agree with it. I do not believe it falls under the 20 game category, as per the above, and also don't think it falls under the 10 game category, as I do not believe it was deliberate, but can understand how that determination could be made if they deem the arm follow through to be "deliberately applying force to an official", and it would not necessarily be the wrong finding.

Finally, based upon what has happened to date, I would not be surprised if he received a 3-5 game suspension, likely closer to 3, but do not believe he should get anything.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sworkhard

I think Kerry Fraser analyzed it correctly. No intent to injure, was probably not paying attention, saw him at the last second, and like any well trained defenseman, laid out a solid crosscheck instinctively. He height he put his hands is exactly where a person surprised by an imminent collision puts them.

I think he'll get 10 games if the league uses rule 40, 5 if they don't.

I more or less agree with that.

Also, a lot of people are saying "woozy" after the hit, but I think it was probably a combination of being woozy and jumpy. I know when I am playing a sport and get clocked, I am usually a little jumpy immediately after.

What people see of a lack of sympathy, I just see as him being totally oblivious to the situation.

I am not absolving him of all responsibility, but I don't think for a second that he was having a tantrum or fit like others are saying. Just a total lack of awareness.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

I can say I do not think it was intentional, because I am not Dennis Wideman, and I am not inside his head. I can only say how I interpret what I saw.



I do not think he deliberately struck Henderson with an intent to injure (Rule 40.2) nor do I think he deliberately applied physical force without an intent to injure (Rule 40.3). I think he tried to get inside, was unaware that Henderson would be skating so fast towards him, and upon what turned into an inevitable collision, extended his arms in a manner of "better you than me".



I have done that exact same thing to opposing players and teammates, so that is how I came to that determination. Again, this is my interpretation, based upon what I saw, and what I know from playing. I cannot make a determination as to Wideman's intent, just like no other person here can.



That being said, the arm extension is the bad optic of it, and is why I can understand the league giving him a suspension, although I do not necessarily agree with it. I do not believe it falls under the 20 game category, as per the above, and also don't think it falls under the 10 game category, as I do not believe it was deliberate, but can understand how that determination could be made if they deem the arm follow through to be "deliberately applying force to an official", and it would not necessarily be the wrong finding.



Finally, based upon what has happened to date, I would not be surprised if he received a 3-5 game suspension, likely closer to 3, but do not believe he should get anything.

Have you watched the clip? They are both skating in slow motion - any collision would have been inconsequential. He doesn't put his arms up to depend himself, he flattens the guy with a hard cross check. I'm on board with not premeditated, woozy etc. but let's not kid ourselves that he was just protecting himself from a collision.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

I can say I do not think it was intentional, because I am not Dennis Wideman, and I am not inside his head. I can only say how I interpret what I saw.

I do not think he deliberately struck Henderson with an intent to injure (Rule 40.2) nor do I think he deliberately applied physical force without an intent to injure (Rule 40.3). I think he tried to get inside, was unaware that Henderson would be skating so fast towards him, and upon what turned into an inevitable collision, extended his arms in a manner of "better you than me".

I have done that exact same thing to opposing players and teammates, so that is how I came to that determination. Again, this is my interpretation, based upon what I saw, and what I know from playing. I cannot make a determination as to Wideman's intent, just like no other person here can.

That being said, the arm extension is the bad optic of it, and is why I can understand the league giving him a suspension, although I do not necessarily agree with it. I do not believe it falls under the 20 game category, as per the above, and also don't think it falls under the 10 game category, as I do not believe it was deliberate, but can understand how that determination could be made if they deem the arm follow through to be "deliberately applying force to an official", and it would not necessarily be the wrong finding.

Finally, based upon what has happened to date, I would not be surprised if he received a 3-5 game suspension, likely closer to 3, but do not believe he should get anything.

I think the 3-5 would be a good number in order to appease the optics of it, and his inattention did result in getting his arms up. 10 or 20 with deliberate intent to hit an official I don't see as likely when you look at not only the whole play but also at Wideman's history.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

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.

So if you watch the video he clearly has his head up for several seconds before impact. No one knows where his eyes are looking so to say he saw him the whole way no one can say. But he didn't have his head down skating to the bench like everyone's trying to make it sound. At the last minute he moved his body partially out of the way in an attempt to get out of the way HOWEVER he raises his two hands and with forces pushes into the linesman enough to lay him out. Did he intend to hit the linesman the whole time? Did he make an intentional last minute choice to inflict some force while going by the opposing teams bench on what he likely assumed was a player. Definitely. There's no reason for that last action.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by the2bears

This thread has lots of reasonable explanations. Have you read it?

Yeah. I've read a lot of Flames fans trying to excuse a very poor split second decision by a Flames player. Put another jersey on Wideman and this thread is a landslide condemnation of an idiot move. You explain to me than the need to follow through a push as your side stepping on someone without any intent?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

Yeah. I've read a lot of Flames fans trying to excuse a very poor split second decision by a Flames player. Put another jersey on Wideman and this thread is a landslide condemnation of an idiot move. You explain to me than the need to follow through a push as your side stepping on someone without any intent?

Actually if it was another jersey (as showed multiple times in this thread) we probably wouldn't care, cause its a routine incidental collision that happens all the time, and it wouldn't make sense to argue over a routine incident to a team that has no impact on us. (I might think its funny that it made Good Morning America though, Denis Wideman seems to make the highlight reels for the stupidest, clumsiest things. He's like this generations Mike Modano.) I would be ok with a 120 game suspension if there is some way we can get out of his cap hit though.

[TheScorpion]

Uhh, why can't I vote on the poll?

[Hack&Lube]

You know when Boxers get punched or you get into an accident, you get irrationally angry and short tempered and your critical thinking gets impaired. That's what I think happened here. Wideman's half-hearted excuse/explanation however, was not well thought through and will get him a suspension.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

You know when Boxers get punched or you get into an accident, you get irrationally angry and short tempered and your critical thinking gets impaired. That's what I think happened here. Wideman's half-hearted excuse/explanation however, was not well thought through and will get him a suspension.

He probably didn't have a well thought up excuse, cause he didn't think he'd be asked for one since it happens all the time. He probably had no idea it would make Good Morning America... LOL

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by edslunch

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.

I think if he really wanted to nail him he wouldn't have deviated course at all. This reflects his apprehension over it, but that he was going to do it anyway.

I should clarify that this isn't necessarily a harsh implication on Wideman's character. It was a mistake made out of frustration and a snap judgement. However, I still think it warrants a healthy suspension.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Actually if it was another jersey (as showed multiple times in this thread) we probably wouldn't care, cause its a routine incidental collision that happens all the time, and it wouldn't make sense to argue over a routine incident to a team that has no impact on us. (I might think its funny that it made Good Morning America though, Denis Wideman seems to make the highlight reels for the stupidest, clumsiest things. He's like this generations Mike Modano.) I would be ok with a 120 game suspension if there is some way we can get out of his cap hit though.

I think a lot of us can agree On that last part. However as much as I dislike Wideman it's clearly a poor move by him. He showed frustration before hand by slamming his stick. He made an attempt to get out of the way and than for no reason included a shove. He wasn't making haste off the ice there was the time to do many other actions or non-actions. He was obviously frustrated and wether he knew it was a linesman or not put an extra effort into a incidental collision. That's going to get you scrutiny. The other shown video with the Canucks player is at high speed and although somewhat similar cannot be closely compared to this play which in much slower speeds on the ice give a lot of room for ways to avoid such a collision.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I think a lot of us can agree On that last part. However as much as I dislike Wideman it's clearly a poor move by him. He showed frustration before hand by slamming his stick. He made an attempt to get out of the way and than for no reason included a shove. He wasn't making haste off the ice there was the time to do many other actions or non-actions. He was obviously frustrated and wether he knew it was a linesman or not put an extra effort into a incidental collision. That's going to get you scrutiny. The other shown video with the Canucks player is at high speed and although somewhat similar cannot be closely compared to this play which in much slower speeds on the ice give a lot of room for ways to avoid such a collision.

He's slamming his stick cause he's calling out to the bench that he's coming off for a line change. It's pretty standard. I'm not trying to be mean, but I don't think you've ever played sports before... spent too much time reading psychology books.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I think a lot of us can agree On that last part. However as much as I dislike Wideman it's clearly a poor move by him. He showed frustration before hand by slamming his stick. He made an attempt to get out of the way and than for no reason included a shove. He wasn't making haste off the ice there was the time to do many other actions or non-actions. He was obviously frustrated and wether he knew it was a linesman or not put an extra effort into a incidental collision. That's going to get you scrutiny. The other shown video with the Canucks player is at high speed and although somewhat similar cannot be closely compared to this play which in much slower speeds on the ice give a lot of room for ways to avoid such a collision.

Slapping your stick is the common signal for "get me off the ice".

It not like he violently slammed his stick with 2 hands, it was just the typically one hander you see when players need a line change.

[Willi Plett]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

You know when Boxers get punched or you get into an accident, you get irrationally angry and short tempered and your critical thinking gets impaired. That's what I think happened here. Wideman's half-hearted excuse/explanation however, was not well thought through and will get him a suspension.

I think this is likely the case. For all the criticism of Wideman and his actions, I would say his team and the league has failed to protect him. It is very possible that his actions were the result of head trauma and he was not able to control them or functioning normally. A key symptom of mild head trauma is:

Cognitive or mental symptoms

Profound confusion
Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior

He appeared dazed and confused from my perspective and after the head hit and his subsequent actions the medical staff should have removed him from play. Further the team PR staff should have removed his media availability and had him seek counseling and advice as to what to say to protect his rights.

It is fully possible that even at the time of the interview or now he does not know exactly why he reacted the way he did and what happened to him and his reactions.

It is the staff and leagues role to protect players and part of that is knowing the potential effects of a head injury and pulling him from play and ensuring he doesn't interview in a way that might not establish his full rights in front of the media, fans, and league officials who will determine his discipline.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

He's slamming his stick cause he's calling out to the bench that he's coming off for a line change. It's pretty standard. I'm not trying to be mean, but I don't think you've ever played sports before... spent too much time reading psychology books.

Sure bud,

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I think a lot of us can agree On that last part. However as much as I dislike Wideman it's clearly a poor move by him. He showed frustration before hand by slamming his stick. He made an attempt to get out of the way and than for no reason included a shove. He wasn't making haste off the ice there was the time to do many other actions or non-actions. He was obviously frustrated and wether he knew it was a linesman or not put an extra effort into a incidental collision. That's going to get you scrutiny. The other shown video with the Canucks player is at high speed and although somewhat similar cannot be closely compared to this play which in much slower speeds on the ice give a lot of room for ways to avoid such a collision.

you lose all credibility here

Funny it was basically a non issue 2 minutes after it happened with Wideman and the linesman sharing a laugh. They didn't even bring it up in the intermission until Francis decided to get his name out there. After the game hockey guys like Sutter and Button said reactionary he didn't mean to ect. Maybe a game or two MAYBE.

Next day after social media has gone ape#### based on a super slow-mo of one angle its "He must be suspended for a long time!"


The general consensus on facebook is that he was furious there was not call on the play and lost it on the REF. Why is NOBODY showing the other angle? I'll tell you why, CLICK BAIT!