[News] UPD: NHL reviewing whether Flames followed concussion protocol for Wideman

[Hockeyguy15]

I would think this will benefit the NHL in future lawsuits. Look we tried our best, but the players ignore the protocol so it isn't our fault.

[CMPunk]

Someone's getting fired.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-b...ocess/c-779135

Putting the onus on the trainer is stupid. They are team employees, and they know the players. They know that neither the coach nor the player will want to leave a close game. The league should be empowering the concussion spotters to make it mandatory that the player (or official) goes to the quiet room and follows protocol.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I would think this will benefit the NHL in future lawsuits. Look we tried our best, but the players ignore the protocol so it isn't our fault.

I doubt it, it shouldn't be up the (possibly concussed) player.

[Fan in Exile]

This is getting awkward. I think it speaks to why the NHLPA files the appeal. The Flames are caught in a bad position; if they support Wideman's assertion that he had no intent or responsibility for hitting Henderson because he was concussed, then the Flames are clearly at fault for not following protocol afterwards.

[Fan in Exile]

Double post.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Agreed, but at what point is the onus on the player? Should every player go through concussion protocol after every hit?

In this particular hit or ones like it, when the player skates back woozy or hits a ref by mistake, it should be an obvious job.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Cecil Terwilliger]

This has been brought up on the radio the last few days on the fan, but what is the trainer supposed to do after the player says no I'm fine? Drag him off the bench? And how many times overall in the NHL do the spotters call the bench and the player is allowed to re-enter the play once he's talk to the trainer?

I think it's really tough to blame the flames on this one without knowing more information. I'd be willing to bet that this type of thing, minus the abuse of an official, happens all the time and we don't hear about it.

[sureLoss]

According to the NHL's suspension video, Wideman, by his own admission, refused medical treatment several times.

[Ashasx]

watch us lose a draft pick because of this

[Karl]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

According to the NHL's suspension video, Wideman, by his own admission, refused medical treatment several times.

Wow. This is bad on the whole organization and Wideman.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

This has been brought up on the radio the last few days on the fan, but what is the trainer supposed to do after the player says no I'm fine? Drag him off the bench? And how many times overall in the NHL do the spotters call the bench and the player is allowed to re-enter the play once he's talk to the trainer?

I think it's really tough to blame the flames on this one without knowing more information. I'd be willing to bet that this type of thing, minus the abuse of an official, happens all the time and we don't hear about it.

The policy should be that, if the spotter calls, the player undergoes protocol immediately and automatically. If the player says no, the trainer should be required to inform the coaching staff, who should then be responsible for keeping that player off the ice until the protocol has been undergone.

I am certain this is what we will see the Flames implement coming out of this, and frankly, I'm disappointed the policy doesn't already exist. I wouldn't be surprised if this is actually the beginning of the end of Hartley, a sort of 'change the boss to change the culture' type decision.

[DoubleF]

So then he lied about his ailments. How he could circumvent the concussion protocol by doing going, "No man, I'm good. Yeah, totally good" is beyond me and does not look good at all.

It still doesn't do anything in terms of giving him leniency for the hit, but sure as hell opens up a can of worms for our org and the concussion spotter role/power.

Note: Discussing this as a separate discussion from the suspension issue. He needed to be held accountable. That was no question in my eyes. Concussion, whatever, you can't hit a ref deliberately or "accidentally".

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Someone's getting fired.

Wideman himself.

[Dr. Doom]

Wideman is like that guy who took it too far and now the rules are gonna changes for all of these guys who like to tough it out. You can't drag them off the bench, but if they don't agree to attention I can see automatic suspension somehow being worked in

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Players are not doctors. They do not have the ability to assess themselves, especially directly after an incident that could affect their judgement.

Concussion protocol needs to be a mandate, regardless of what the player wants. Too stupid to know what's good for them I guess. These injuries aren't obvious and if not properly assessed at the time, could be extremely hazardous for the player both in the short and long term.

Quite frankly, this is going to be a huge story because of what happened surrounding the concussion. I think the media needs to make a big deal about this because obviously the culture in the NHL is still pretty obtuse on this topic.

[jar_e]

I really wonder if this was an aggravating factor in giving Wideman's suspension. They would never admit it but it definitely makes you wonder.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Players are not doctors. They do not have the ability to assess themselves, especially directly after an incident that could affect their judgement.

Concussion protocol needs to be a mandate, regardless of what the player wants. Too stupid to know what's good for them I guess. These injuries aren't obvious and if not properly assessed at the time, could be extremely hazardous for the player both in the short and long term.

Quite frankly, this is going to be a huge story because of what happened surrounding the concussion. I think the media needs to make a big deal about this because obviously the culture in the NHL is still pretty obtuse on this topic.

Like all things medical, it's based on reporting. Doctors over prescribe meds because their patients say they are in extreme pain, when really, they want a pain med high.

[sureLoss]

Leaving the rumour tag on it because there are conflicting stories now coming out.

It seems more like, concussion protocol as it exists right now was followed, but because of lax rules (i.e. player refusing medical attention), Wideman's concussion didn't get diagnosed until after the game.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Like all things medical, it's based on reporting. Doctors over prescribe meds because their patients say they are in extreme pain, when really, they want a pain med high.

I'm sorry, that's quite the non-sequitur. I made it perfectly clear that what the player reports is irrelevant precisely because they are concussed, and not in the right frame of mind to do a self-assessment. If the guy watching upstairs makes an objective assessment that the player at least needs to be checked and observed, then you do it. No messing around with this stuff. Players need to realize that this is for their benefit and stop playing hero all the time.