[News] NHL suspends Wideman 20 games. UPD: Bettman could take to next week to decide appeal

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

The player's history and the fact he had just suffered a concussion will be two of the determining factors, it's a toss up how whether the arbitrator will be swayed by those things. One thing is certain, the arbitrator won't be beholden to the interests of the official's union. That's the #1 determining factor here IMO. I bet his sentence gets cut in half.

Oh no doubt. I did think he would get 10 games. But for some reason based on what I read on twitter and what I hear outside of Calgary I could see them upholding it.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Well isn't that convenient... Sounds shady to me but I guess we will never know.

Shady? Really? So you're suggesting the doctor who made the concussion diagnosis was bought and paid for by the Flames?

You really think a doctor would put his medical license on the line to gain sympathy for Wideman?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Shady? Really? So you're suggesting the doctor who made the concussion diagnosis was bought and paid for by the Flames?

You really think a doctor would put his medical license on the line to gain sympathy for Wideman?

You don't think the Flames were not trying to cover their ass here? Of course the doctor will say a concussion, he is the Flames doctor and who can prove otherwise? How would he be risking his license?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You don't think the Flames were not trying to cover their ass here? Of course the doctor will say a concussion, he is the Flames doctor and who can prove otherwise? How would he be risking his license?

I think you're making a really weird argument.

Edit: To expand on that. You are saying Wideman doesn't/didn't actually have a concussion and this whole thing is the Flames just trying to get him sympathy?

So the Flames are opening themselves up to backlash just to try and help Wideman out with his appeal?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You don't think the Flames were not trying to cover their ass here? Of course the doctor will say a concussion, he is the Flames doctor and who can prove otherwise? How would he be risking his license?

Malpractice is kind of a serious thing, dude.

[FlamesAddiction]

NHL discipline is a court of public opinion, and public opinion is formed by whatever the people with the most Twitter followers tell their sheeple to believe.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

NHL discipline is a court of public opinion, and public opinion is formed by whatever the people with the most Twitter followers tell their sheeple to believe.

I really doubt Colin Campbell even uses twitter. Why is it so hard to believe the NHL could have reached this decision without being influenced by stuff written on the internet?

[Robbob]

My tinfoil hat theory is the NHL purposely put forth the video with some glaring WTF moments so it will be easier to overturn. The NHL gets the headlines for the massive suspension to appease or make a statement for those nontraditional hockey news media types that have been following the story.

In a couple weeks when the suspension is cut in half it will now longer be a relevant news story and probably won't even get a blip in the news cycle and the 10 games will still be a significant penalty and message for those in the hockey circles.

The only problem I have is Wideman is get raked over the coals with the NHL coming out and saying it was deliberate intent to injure.

[Vulcan]

We shouldn't forget that this suspension was handed out by Colin Campbell who doesn't seem to believe in concussions and has been ordered that his e-mails be opened by the NHL players suing the league about their concussion policy.

Among the documents that are now poised to be unsealed are emails sent by Campbell in which he uses various obscenities. A 2013 email chain will also be unsealed in which Campbell calls an NHL team trainer a “freaking idiot” after the trainer suggested methods for treating concussed players.

In her ruling, Mayeron disclosed that Townend in his email had presented suggestions from fellow trainers regarding prevention and treatment of concussions.
Mayeron also disclosed Campbell’s reply to Townend’s email.
“This guy is a freaking idiot!” Campbell responded to Grand and others on May 16, 2013.

http://www.tsn.ca/judge-orders-unsea...mails-1.426134

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I really doubt Colin Campbell even uses twitter. Why is it so hard to believe the NHL could have reached this decision without being influenced by stuff written on the internet?

If anything, I think appeasing the official's union was priority number one.

[albertGQ]

Wideman is practising with the Flames. Is that allowed since he is appealing?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Wideman is practising with the Flames. Is that allowed since he is appealing?

Yes

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
By the way, Wideman is allowed to practice with the team during the suspension. So not crazy to see him out there today. #Flames

[dino7c]

You don't need a Tinfoil hat to accuse the NHL of shady practice there are many examples even recent ones from the Jhon Scott stuff to the emails regarding concussions

NHL threw the book at Wideman to keep the refs happy and calm the media ####storm

Now the PA has to fight it and a 3rd party decides so basically they are off the hook either way

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yes

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
By the way, Wideman is allowed to practice with the team during the suspension. So not crazy to see him out there today. #Flames

Then why wasn't Voynov allowed to practise with the Kings when he was suspended?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Then why wasn't Voynov allowed to practise with the Kings when he was suspended?

because that was a suspension for off ice conduct.

Wideman was suspended for on ice conduct

[Yanda]

I think they set the suspension at 20 games because they knew there would be an appeal either way. So they rather negotiate down from 20 instead of a lesser number

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Yanda

I think they set the suspension at 20 games because they knew there would be an appeal either way. So they rather negotiate down from 20 instead of a lesser number

It also showed league support for the NHLOA.

If an arbitrator lessons the number, that's not on the league.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Wideman will make a statement this afternoon regarding the suspension. #Flames

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You don't think the Flames were not trying to cover their ass here? Of course the doctor will say a concussion, he is the Flames doctor and who can prove otherwise? How would he be risking his license?

Wow dude just because he's the Flames doctor doesn't mean ethics go out the window.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Wideman will make a statement this afternoon regarding the suspension. #Flames

Wideman and the Flames should really just let the appeal process happen and not say anything.

People made up their minds about this, not much good can come from a statement.

Beyond apologizing to the linesman directly, I don't see any need for Wideman to address the public and add to the media frenzy further.

This whole thing has become ridiculous.