[News] Arbitrator reduces Wideman suspension to 10 games from 20

[Erick Estrada]

Awesome. Reduce the suspension by half after the full term was already served. I get that he will get money back but it's like reducing a jail sentence on the day of the prisoner's full term release. Fantastic process.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Going by the framework of rule 40, 10 games is quite at odds with it:

40. 2 Automatic Suspension — Category I — Any player who deliberately strikes an
official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner
against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an
official shall be automatically suspended for not less than twenty (20) games. (For
the purpose of the rule, "intent to injure" shall mean any physical force which a
player knew or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury. )
40. 3 Automatic Suspension — Category II — Any player who deliberately applies
physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I),
which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official,
shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games.

Essentially, if the arbitrator is using Rule 40 (which doesn't need to be the case), they are saying that Wideman did deliberately use force but didn't think that a crosscheck to back has potential for injury.

It's a weird situation, and it's why the NHLPA was fighting for 0 games, not a reduction.

If this is the case, I'm not really a fan of the decision before hearing it out. I do think it was either accidental, and 0 games is the only call, or it was deliberate and at least 20 games would be the only call.

[GioforPM]

An extra lottery ball would be OK with me.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Good for Wideman and his bank account. Bad for Flames fans who have been enjoying the look at other defensemen who could replace him.

That's besides the damn point. A Flames player was wrongfully sat for 9 games. What if it was Johnny who sat? Or Wideman during his 56 point season in the midst of the playoff hunt?

[sureLoss]

Maybe the NHL will allow the Flames to bank those extra suspension games to be used for future players and suspensions.

Let Gaudreau viciously slash back anyone who touches him until 10 games are used up.

[FanIn80]

Can we apply for $280,000 of cap relief?

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

That's besides the damn point. A Flames player was wrongfully sat for 9 games. What if it was Johnny who sat? Or Wideman during his 56 point season in the midst of the playoff hunt?

Agreed. Its about the NHL getting their disciplinary system right.

But there are those "fans" who have just been using this as a chance to dump all over Wideman while ignoring that actual issue. Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

[burnitdown]

Whether you believe it or not - when asked why it was taking so long, Bettman did keep implying the process was being dragged out by the NHLPA. Likely not entirely true but adds to the fact that the Flames won't get anything out of this decision.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Going by the framework of rule 40, 10 games is quite at odds with it:


Essentially, if the arbitrator is using Rule 40 (which doesn't need to be the case), they are saying that Wideman did deliberately use force but didn't think that a crosscheck to back has potential for injury.

It's a weird situation, and it's why the NHLPA was fighting for 0 games, not a reduction.

If this is the case, I'm not really a fan of the decision before hearing it out. I do think it was either accidental, and 0 games is the only call, or it was deliberate and at least 20 games would be the only call.

As surprising as it might seem, I'm in general agreement with you on the two choices (though I think our opinions about which decision would be correct differ).

The only "out" is if the arbitrator has ruled that the act was a deliberate shove but more of a "get out of my way" than "take that you #$%^$%", and therefore not an intent to injure. This may or may not involve concussion/wooziness/etc.

[gpflamesfan]

I think the Flames should be compensated with a pick. An extra second rounder would suffice.

[sureLoss]

ESPN NHL coverage @ESPN_NHL
BREAKING NEWS: Source confirms to @Real_ESPNLeBrun that the independent arbitrator reduced Dennis Wideman's suspension to 10 games from 20.

SportsCentre @SportsCentre
JUST IN: Independent arbitrator reduces @NHLFlames D Dennis Wideman's suspension to 10 games from 20 #TSNHockey

[Benched]

curious to hear the reasoning behind the reduction.

[Samiz]

Very surprised that it's been reduced to 10 games this late into the suspension. At least he gets a bunch of money back

[FanIn80]

http://www.tsn.ca/wideman-s-suspensi...games-1.451884

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Can we apply for $280,000 of cap relief?

We already applied for, and received, cap relief for those games.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Samiz

Very surprised that it's been reduced to 10 games this late into the suspension. At least he gets a bunch of money back

I think a lot people are missing the point here. Yeah, he'll get his money back.

But according the this ruling, the league wrongfully sat a Flames player for 9 games. What compensation do the Flames get?

20 games ago, the Flames were only 5 points out with games in hand.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

We already applied for, and received, cap relief for those games.

? Flames applied to make Wideman non-roster. AFAIK he counted against the cap for the whole time.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Perhaps they should look into players playing while the appeal process is underway. What a gong show.

[sureLoss]

Bettman this morning

Craig Custance ✔ ‎@CraigCustance
Bettman on the Wideman appeal dragging out: I'm perfectly comfortable with the process.

[dino7c]

lol what a joke