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

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by the2bears

Honestly curious as to how this might apply, as I'm not a lawyer. The CBA defines the players' relationship to the teams and league, but this is an issue of the Flames vs. the league, is it not?

It's more that the Flames would have to show that Bettman abused his power or the process under the CBA as that would govern this issue. I'm not an administrative lawyer, but my impression is that this would be tough to prove. It's not like anyone can point to a clause and say "Bettman violated section X". It's more that this situation found a loophole.

[Aegypticus]

Tim and Sid are talking about this on SNW right now.

Edit: interviewing Mathieu Schneider. Interestingly, he said they presented other texts that they thought should have exonerated Wideman.

[TheScorpion]

Just heard. Hahahaha, Jesus.

[puffnstuff]

I would have loved seeing the look on Bettmans face when he heard the arb's ruling. Anyone else?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Aegypticus

Tim and Sid are talking about this on SNW right now.

Edit: interviewing Mathieu Schneider. Interestingly, he said they presented other texts that they thought should have exonerated Wideman.

...so why wouldn't the NHL release these?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

...so why wouldn't the NHL release these?

Didn't help their case

[Locke]

Is this the first time in history that a player has been 'over-suspended?'

[mrkajz44]

After reading the judgement, the best part was when the arbitrator clearly points out that Wideman did not cross check the guy. He talks about hand placement on the stick, angle of the stick, etc. and logically determines this is not a cross check.

As I recall, the NHL video used "violently cross-checked" multiple times to justify the 20 game suspension. Then the arbitrator comes in and basically says "you blind bro?"

[puffnstuff]

NHL math, from Tim & Sid, 20 - 10 = 19

[Aegypticus]

Kypreos on now. The big theme seems to be a focus on the what ifs. Flames paying for nothing, even other teams looking at when their competition beat the Flames in close games and saying "hey, that team is up on us because the Flames lost to them!"

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Bettman works for the owners. Murray Edwards has a lot of sway with the other owners. Do we see Bettman fired? I hope so. Smug little rat.

Not a chance.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Can't wait for this Brian Burke press conference. About an hour away now (4:45)

[wired]

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?

Imo, its a BU!!$*!t decision by the NHL. Any player, on any team who got mistreated like this would not be cool.
The NHL should be punished for this.
Why have the refs not been held accountable for not calling the initial hit to Wideman? The one that was a dirty hit, that hurt him.

[calgarywinning]

The arbitrator has ruled and that is final. The NHL has erred in their suspension of Wideman. Wideman deserved a proper and fair ruling based on his mistake that evening.

The NHL should treat the players and the organizations with due respect and offer the benefit of the doubt to players who have shown no past history of flagrant or negligible activity. I feel bad for the referee that was hit, especially, as he has suffered as a result. I don't think this should be forgotten.

The cost to the fans is the ability to watch our team in whole play, the ability to trade Wideman if we so chose to do so for rebuild assets and the shame of such a harsh ruling against or organization.

When a mistake happens and it is acknowledged it's not to go without punishment but over punishment is punitive and makes the issue fester. Best to punish and forgive, sincere apologies issued and to move on. In this case, the NHL was punitive.

[Tron_fdc]

I'm not going to go back and quote a bunch of people because I'm a little busy today, but I firmly believe we are going to get the short end of the stick from the officials from here on in.

Not because it's a "conspiracy" and I wear tinfoil hat in my spare time, but because it's human nature, and the league is an old boys club.

I will be happy to get proven wrong.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

After reading the judgement, the best part was when the arbitrator clearly points out that Wideman did not cross check the guy. He talks about hand placement on the stick, angle of the stick, etc. and logically determines this is not a cross check.

As I recall, the NHL video used "violently cross-checked" multiple times to justify the 20 game suspension. Then the arbitrator comes in and basically says "you blind bro?"

It's like an entire plethora of league officials had never seen hockey before.

This whole situation has baffled me from the beginning.

There better be a 10-game suspension the next time someone slapshots a puck and hits a ref on accident.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by MattyC

It's like an entire plethora of league officials had never seen hockey before.

This whole situation has baffled me from the beginning.

There better be a 10-game suspension the next time someone slapshots a puck and hits a ref on accident.

"it can reasonably be assumed that when the player dumped the puck in the direction of the linesman that injury was a likely and probable result"

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Bettman this morning

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

Of course he is fine with it. He still got the suspension he wanted, minus a game.

Personally, I still think 10 games is too much, but I am happy that Wideman is at least partially vindicated.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

News Update

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli 15m
#NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says the text message referenced in Bettman's Feb. 17 opinion was sent by Dennis Wideman to Mark Giordano

[The Coppernian One]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

They don't create a case for a conspiracy, no.



If Wideman intentionally injured an official, 20 games is the minimum he should have gotten, per the rule book. This line of argument is a dead end for you. You should stick to arguing it was incidental/accidental.



Partially. Many predicted this was were we would end up. But I would note that you have been vehemently arguing that Wideman's actions were completely accidental and that he did nothing wrong. The arbitrator most certainly has not validated your position any more than he validated Bettman's.

This is true. The Arbitrator is clear that this was intentional (not an accident).

Leaving your post now - It's also true that the arbitrator uses the word "opinion". They both agree that Wideman made intentional contact. They disagree in that Bettman feels (his opinion) it was with intent to injure and the arbitrator feels (his opinion) that there was no intent to injure. Just because the Arbitrator is the last person in the chain of people allowed to rule on it does not make him right - nor does it make Bettman wrong. He just gets to decide after Bettman and by his own words gave his opinion.

The length of suspension each man gave is in alignment with the CBA. I disagree that this makes Bettman look bad. His reasoning is sound if you agree that Wideman intended to injure (which some do and most here don't). To say that this clearly shows Bettman is an ass/incompetent/whatever is to put total infallibility with the neutral arbitrator. If that's the case why not just go directly to arbitration for all discipline? It's not, but it's convenient for a lot of the arguments being made.

It will be interesting to see if any more comes of this. The jackass in me is waiting for the first player to figure out that if they reverse their grip and put their hands closer together as they put the lumber to someone that is apparently not a crosscheck.