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

[Flames Draft Watcher]

F U Bettman.

I always feel sorry for him when he gets booed at the draft. This year I'll be one of the ones doing the booing.

[sureLoss]

Eric Francis @EricFrancis
The mysterious and embarrassing text Wideman sent was to Greg Campbell, son of Colin Campbell. How ironic.

I thought it was a current teammate not a former teammate

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Eric Francis @EricFrancis
The mysterious and embarrassing text Wideman sent was to Greg Campbell, son of Colin Campbell. How ironic.

what the bloody ####?

[PsYcNeT]

Lol who cares, Wideman sucks.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

what the bloody ####?

I think they played together in Boston. Wideman and Campbell that is.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

Full decision available here:
https://nbcprohockeytalk.files.wordp...hamopinion.pdf

Good decision. Interesting that all parties agree that Wideman was concussed.

Confirms that Bettman's decision was not supported by the evidence.

Typo on page 14, I'd think "NFL" should read ""NHL".

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I think they played together in Boston. Wideman and Campbell that is.

I know that, but isn't it convenient that this was the first case the NHL has ever tried to obtain phone evidence for? Why is that?

Why did they even think that was necessary?

[Canuck-Hater]

I've lost all respect for Bettman. Arrogant little rat.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Yes, this sounds about right.

And the league should definitely provide some measure of compensation to the Flames for unjustly depriving them of a players services... I don't think they will, but they should. Lot's of joking about extra lotto numbers but more realistically a 2nd round pick (say #45?) would be more in keeping with league compensation. Again, fat chance of that happening, but it'd be the fair thing to do.

IF compensation if form of a draft pick was given it would probably be more at the end of a round mid to late in the draft. I think 2nd is probably a little high.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

Actually, the fact is they did have a chance. You can trade suspended players. The trade just didn't happen.

it certainly made things more difficult with multiple games left on the suspension

[sureLoss]

Hmm the CBA says the arbitrator's decision is final via Friedman (last line)

[sureLoss]

News Update

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
#Flames president of hockey ops Brian Burke is holding a 6:45pm ET press conference. Otherwise known as: appointment viewing.

[Clever_Iggy]

Without a clear violation of the CBA (which I don't think there is) I don't see how the Flames can argue they are entitled to compensation from the league.

Putting that aside, what would that compensation look like? I can't think of anything that would make the Flames feel better and be agreeable to the other 29 teams. Another draft pick - other teams would not okay this.

Bottom line, the Flames got screwed by a broken process which needs to be fixed. The next round of CBA negotiations is likely the earliest.

[LanceUppercut]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
#Flames president of hockey ops Brian Burke is holding a 6:45pm ET press conference. Otherwise known as: appointment viewing.

Oh boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

You really think playoff teams would have been itching to add him to their playoff rosters even if that was the case?

Players like Hamhuis were barely even in demand as it was and Wideman isn't even in the same league. Someone with as many holes in his game as Wideman is certainly not going to improve a top teams depth as they are probably already full with similar cheaper and younger options.

The owners can most definitely afford the salary and we all got to see what some of our younger players can do because of it. If we lost out on a D level prospect or were unable to absorb some washed up face punchers contract in the process it's probably a saving grace.

lol what does that have to do with it...Flames got screwed

no matter what you think might have happened is irrelevant. Worse players have been traded

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

You really think playoff teams would have been itching to add him to their playoff rosters even if that was the case?

Players like Hamhuis were barely even in demand as it was and Wideman isn't even in the same league. Someone with as many holes in his game as Wideman is certainly not going to improve a top teams depth as they are probably already full with similar cheaper and younger options.

The owners can most definitely afford the salary and we all got to see what some of our younger players can do because of it. If we lost out on a D level prospect or were unable to absorb some washed up face punchers contract in the process it's probably a saving grace.

Hamhuis was in demand, he just had a NTC that limited what Van could do. If Wideman was around I could see him bringing back a similar package as John Michael Liles or Justin Schultz.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

NHL Response

They dont have much choice, their balls are in a vice at the moment because they've over-suspended someone.

This is pretty much the worst thing they could have done and if they'd just gone for 10 games it never would have been problem.

The League is getting in their own way and stepping on their own feet on this one and it serves no real purpose.

10 games would have been just as effective as 20 and they're not 'out to get' Wideman or the Flames, but set a precedent for concussion issues but this has been one massive blunder after another.

Which is unusual because Bettman, and I'm typically pro-Bettman I think the man is typically a very efficient and intelligent man and an excellent commissioner, but this has been an uncharacteristic disaster for him.

And yeah, if I'm Treliving, Burke and the Flames I want compensation for being unfairly denied Wideman's services that they still had to pay for for 9 games.

The League should have to cough something up.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Without a clear violation of the CBA (which I don't think there is) I don't see how the Flames can argue they are entitled to compensation from the league.

Putting that aside, what would that compensation look like? I can't think of anything that would make the Flames feel better and be agreeable to the other 29 teams. Another draft pick - other teams would not okay this.

Bottom line, the Flames got screwed by a broken process which needs to be fixed. The next round of CBA negotiations is likely the earliest.

Compensation should be cap relief for next season.

Wideman was counting against the cap for those 9 games he shouldn't have been suspended for.

Flames owners should also be compensated the same salary they paid for a player that should have been playing for them.

These should be the minimum repercussions.

[puffnstuff]

Theline about the NDA having full remedial authority if he finds the commissioner ruling not supported is interesting. Didnt read the ruling, but would he be the guy the Flames would look to for compensation? Monetary or some other form?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

NHL Response

I doubt they will do anything further. This is lip service to the officials.