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

[pylon]

Oh boy.

The Flames could cause a massive disruption with this. So many 'what ifs.' they could now throw at the league.

Personally I felt 20 was fine, but if the the arbitrators decision is in fact the final say, this could get very interesting. In fact, was it not right around the Wideman incident the Flames started to nosedive? A savvy GM is going to point out this fact, and leverage it any way possible. I know I would, even if Wideman added nothing.

Everyone has a giant boner for stats nowadays, well, I would throw that back at them, and say. "Statistically our team has struggled, and lost 7/8 games Wideman has been determined now eligible to play. How is my team getting compensated, and when?"

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Locke

But the Calgary Flames were unfairly deprived of his services while still contractually obligated to pay him. So the real losers here are the Calgary Flames and it seems the League owes them some compensation for that.

Bring it on!

They should give us unlimited recalls the rest of the season.

I'm sure the Flames would settle for a couple more.

[Major Major]

I'm pumped it got reduced just to see what happens! I think this has the chance to either go away quietly or blow up in Bettman's face. I think that it can be shown that he was deliberately trying to prevent future appeals. If this is the case, and due process was not followed within reason, does the league not have exposure to massive lawsuits from the player and team? If there is no set process, can it not be argued legally that a reasonable process not be applied to this situation, which there clearly wasn't? I don't know, I'm not a lawyer, but I know someone who is, and he just undid his tie.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
#NHLPA requested in hearing with arb. Oldham on Feb. 26 to allow Wideman to keep playing while appeal was being decided; #NHL declined.

I think it's time for a new NHL commissioner.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by polak

Can we just not play him though?

He's the worst.

a. He's not the worst, not even close.

b. The Flames would look awfully stupid supporting the NHLPA in appealing the suspension and them keeping him out of the lineup when he's eligible.

[automaton 3]

The league looks bad in this.

Initial decision was clearly incorrect, Bettman had an opportunity to fix it and declined.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Flames must be compensated in some way. It's unprecedented so time to set the precedent.

I'll take a draft pick or improved draft lottery percentages, thanks so much.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
#NHLPA requested in hearing with arb. Oldham on Feb. 26 to allow Wideman to keep playing while appeal was being decided; #NHL declined.

This is beyond ridiculous.

A lot of people should be losing their jobs over this.

And at the very least, the Flames should be granted cap relief equal to the amount of games Wideman shouldn't have sat out for next season.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by LanceUppercut

So what do we get for Wideman missing 9 games he should have been eligible for?

Ten Auston Matthews points.

[Robo]

It is getting hard to keep supporting the nhl. So much wrong with this league

[automaton 3]

The league's (apparent) stance to not to allow Wideman to play during the appeal period is a head-scratcher.

I wonder how Flames ownership feels about how this whole fiasco played out.

[sureLoss]

uh oh

News Update

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Is this Wideman saga over? Some suggesting #NHL option on ruling may include looking into an appeal process through federal court.

[SofaProfessor]

This is why players need to be allowed to play during suspension appeals. This is going to turn into a gong show. Ownership has to be choked that they have paid out money to a player who should have been on the ice for the last 9 games. Treliving could argue that losing Wideman needlessly for 9 games has affected the Flames playoff chances (it probably didn't but we're operating in what if's now).

The only sure things we know after all this is that the NHL has a terrible appeal process and there's a good Brian Burke rant on deck.

[Frequitude]

I have the following questions:

1) What happened from the cash flow perspective during the suspension? Did the suspension save the Flames actual cash outlay or were they still paying it out just into a fund like for fines? If they were saving it, does that mean they now cut him a big cheque? If they were just diverting it into a fund, does that mean the fund now cuts Wideman a big cheque?

2) Will any consideration be given in regards to cap relief in future years (it is useless this year). I would assume not...

3) Will any consideration by given in regards to banking suspension games. I would assume not...

[Gaskal]

It's okay, just rig the lottery to give us Matthews and all will be forgiven!

[flamesfan1297]

So does that mean he would be eligible to play now? Or have to wait till that is settled?

[GirlySports]

an NHL appeal would make it look really petty

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

uh oh

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Is this Wideman saga over? Some suggesting #NHL option on ruling may include looking into an appeal process through federal court.

This would be a disaster for the NHL. A federal court and all the notoriety that goes with it? Didn't make the NFL look very good

[Da_Chief]

This could end up like the Deflate Gate if NHL appeals now. Goddell and the NFL are still appealing for Brady suspension.

Doesn't the arbitrator ruling have both parties agreeing to uphold the arbitrator's decision before the process begins?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I would have thought the CBA would be clear that the neutral arbitrator's decision would be final. Going to Federal court would be ridiculous.