Anyone else thinking Wideman might have something to prove this year?

[neo45]

Nothing against Wideman, I think he got treated pretty badly by the league last season, but it's probably best for our team if he sits in the press box all year.


Unless people want to see that lovely Engelland/Wideman third pairing dig 2 pucks out of the net every game

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by handgroen

can we get you your own forum?

He's started 9 threads in 4 years....some start that many in a week. I think a Wideman discussion is warranted.

[Vinny01]

Wideman had 56pts in 14-15 and has been a bit of an up and down player. I could see him bouncing back this year but he will definitely have limited minutes unless one of the top 3 go down with injury or Brodie is moved to the left side permanently

[Finger Cookin]

The hope is for a bounce back season to his 14-15 form, of course. What's the actual expectation from the organization? Probably just for a better year than last year for him, with no suspensions.

[HockeyKhan]

Originally Posted by Forbsey-123

If I were him I would be living at the gym this summer and ready to come out firing. He's got a good amount of hate and bad karma hanging off him and hopefully he can use that as fuel to light a fire under his ass.

Not to mention, I believe its a contract year for him so that should help as well. He had a career year 2 years ago and then followed by the worst year of his life last year......my bet is that he's a top contributor on the blue line this year and we trade him away for a solid pick at the deadline.

If he is as you predict a "top contributor on the blueline" I hope he sticks around until late spring/early summer. I think/hope we are past the rebuild phase and in a perfect world we would be trading FOR a wideman type player when the trade deadline approaches. As a Flames fan I can't wait for the days where we are trading for players at the deadline rather than dumping them...

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by HockeyKhan

If he is as you predict a "top contributor on the blueline" I hope he sticks around until late spring/early summer. I think/hope we are past the rebuild phase and in a perfect world we would be trading FOR a wideman type player when the trade deadline approaches. As a Flames fan I can't wait for the days where we are trading for players at the deadline rather than dumping them...

I'm not enthused about trading for a player at the deadline. They're way overpriced and generally aren't difference makers. That being said keeping Wideman if we are contenders could be a good move at the deadline, if he's still around.

I think Wideman is going to have a tough time recreating his past scoring stats just because Hamilton has taken his spot and I think he knows it. For this reason I think he'd be open for a trade where he can get more opportunity. I'd like to see him gone before the season starts. He can be replaced by Nakladal or one of our prospects.

[Bourque's Twin]

Wideman isn't ideal but he's the type of depth the Flames may need in the playoffs. If one of Giordano, Brodie, or Hamilton goes down it's much better to have Wideman step up than Nakladal, Wotherspoon, or Kulak.

[Forbsey-123]

Originally Posted by HockeyKhan

If he is as you predict a "top contributor on the blueline" I hope he sticks around until late spring/early summer. I think/hope we are past the rebuild phase and in a perfect world we would be trading FOR a wideman type player when the trade deadline approaches. As a Flames fan I can't wait for the days where we are trading for players at the deadline rather than dumping them...

Ya I guess your right.....'top contributor' might be a bit of a pipe dream. I'd be pumped if either A) we get a second for him at the deadline B) We need to keep him because were going on a run

[Forbsey-123]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Please stop making threads.

mmmmmmmmmmm no

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

I'm sure Wides will come out on a mission , BUT he may have lost his spot to better/younger players now.

[JTech780]

Even when Wideman is putting up points he is a liability in the defensive zone. I just don't think his offensive contributions out weigh how poorly he plays the rest of the time.

At this point Wideman at best should split time with Engelland on the bottom pairing with limited even strength time, no PK time, using him as PP specialist on the 2nd pairing. If he is playing more than 15 mins a night we are in trouble.

If we are at the point where we are trading away players for picks at the deadline, then this upcoming season will be a failure.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by neo45

Nothing against Wideman, I think he got treated pretty badly by the league last season, but it's probably best for our team if he sits in the press box all year.


Unless people want to see that lovely Engelland/Wideman third pairing dig 2 pucks out of the net every game

First of all I don't think he got treated all the badly considering he decked an unassuming official who suffered a head injury. If that was the NFL the punishment would have been much more severe.

Second of all if your 3rd pairing is Engelland/Wideman I would say you have a pretty deep defense group as there's far worse 3rd pairings in the league.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Everything went right for him in 2014-15. Everything went wrong for him in 2015-16. His "real" level is somewhere in-between.

Well, sort of, except you have to factor in his diminishing speed which is crucial for success at the NHL level. It won't be somewhere in the middle, it'll be a lot closer to last season.

[MarkGio]

He does have the best slapper on the team, as well as one of the best wrist shots pinching off the blueline. He's also a good passer, and can see the ice well offensively.

Sure he's too slow to cover his constant pinches, but he does have an off-year every now and then, and then bounces back to earn 40 points or so

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Well, sort of, except you have to factor in his diminishing speed which is crucial for success at the NHL level. It won't be somewhere in the middle, it'll be a lot closer to last season.

Wideman has never been fast. Even in Washington and Boston he carried the same foot speed

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Wideman has never been fast. Even in Washington and Boston he carried the same foot speed

Not true at all, he started to lose foot speed in 2014/15, but really declined last season. That's objective.

[calgarywinning]

Let's just hope that no matter how his season goes and why wouldn't we hope it is better, that he doesn't take out our own goaltender.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by handgroen

can we get you your own forum?

Originally Posted by Cole436

Please stop making threads.

The guy has made a whopping nine threads in the past 4 years, two of which were this month... Oh heavens no

[Timbo]

Wideman knows his situation without a doubt. I imagine this season should show if there still is the talent and the will to continue in the NHL.

New coach, plenty of off ice rest time and a contract year could be a catalyst for him having a successful season. If so I look forward to his contribution and possible return at the trade deadline if we are sellers.

[jeffporfirio]

Time to get a Wideman jersey?