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

[Weitz]

Its like 2 different incidents happened. The first is being described in this thread. The other is being described almost anywhere else in the hockey world/Twitter/media.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Rene whatsisname from Quebec was on 960 and said:

A. Most hockey folks think it was way too much.
B. He thinks the league figured 10 days was the right amount and this is how to get there at the end of the day - figures the appeal will result in 10 games.
C. He thinks the position of the Flames and NHLPA - that it's not a suspend able offence at all, is the other end, and they would also accept 10.
D. Bettman wasn't at the hearing since he's the first line of appeal, and he might actually reduce it.
E. The further appeal has never been used before. He didn't say so, but to me that's a big reason for Bettman to try and get to suspension to an amount that all sides will accept. He may not want to risk the further publicity and possible negative result of an independent arbitrator. As a side note, I have always thought it odd that Bettman is the first level of appeal (then again, that's how it works in a lot of franchise arbitration snipe been involved with - its internal at the first level of appeal).

What? Almost every interview I have heard is more of "the amount of games is about right".

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Blaming the guy who got cross-checked from behind now? This is just getting sad. We're better than that.

no, but if Wideman is going to be criticized for continuing the play the question needs to be asked what protocol is there for the official?

if Wideman is going to be accused of faking a concussion (Francis basically did this today) one has to wonder why the official gets a pass

Would it really be shocking if the union asked him to sit out a few games

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Its like 2 different incidents happened. The first is being described in this thread. The other is being described almost anywhere else in the hockey world/Twitter/media.

Nearly every broadcaster on sportsnet and tsn I saw yesterday thought the penalty was harsher than expected

Button
Sutter
Bob mack
O'neil
Noodles

[Poe969]

I've been saying this from the beginning. If the ref kept going and then said he had a concussion after and no one blinks an eye, why is it so hard to believe the same about Wideman?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Weitz

What? Almost every interview I have heard is more of "the amount of games is about right".

^^^^^^

you missed a few...unless some of them changed their tune throughout the day which is entirely possible

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Weitz

What? Almost every interview I have heard is more of "the amount of games is about right".

Just quoting him, I don't know how he gets to that statement. I think maybe because a whole lot of people thought 10 games before.

I have heard lots say too much - the panel on the Flames game (but of course, they were on a Flames broadcast).

[socalwingfan]

nm

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Nearly every broadcaster on sportsnet and tsn I saw yesterday thought the penalty was harsher than expected

Button
Sutter
Bob mack
O'neil
Noodles

Sportsnet poll yesterday had it at 50/50 as well. During one of their numerous panel shows Krypreos and Doug McLean were split as well.

Weitz is doing his usual bit, we're all homers in our own world on CP and everything else is different elsewhere. Par for the course.

[dino7c]

Players from rival teams also said the penalty did not fit the crime...closet Flames homers even on other teams!

If it gets reduced by the 3rd party its obviously too high, we shall see

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by 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

I think there's a lot of truth to that. Esp since the sentence is really light if you consider the Nhl version of events.

They accused and convicted him of deliberately and maliciously attacking an official, with his stick, from behind. 'This was no accident' says the video.

And after painting him as mcsorely on brashear ... On an official... 20 games. Mcsorely got a year.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Nearly every broadcaster on sportsnet and tsn I saw yesterday thought the penalty was harsher than expected

Button
Sutter
Bob mack
O'neil
Noodles

It really bothers me that 5 posters here, supposedly Flames fans too, voted that the punishment was not harsh enough. It shouldn't, but it does.

[Mathgod]

10 games is the appropriate amount imo.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Huh, so a Team Doctor helping a team by hiding an injury is for you signifcantly more likely than a team doctor helping the team by diagnosing an injury.

So much more likely that someone loses all credibility if they even suggest the opposite side of the same coin.

Bizarre.

Fair enough. I can't dispute that.


However, one still must wonder what point Mr. Credibility is trying to make with his decision to support dissentowner's argument that the Flames doctors are making up a concussion. Based on Mr. Credibility's frequent insistence on blaming both Don Henderson and Eric Francis for Wideman's actions, something tells me he's actually trying to claim the Flames doctors are great, but the league's doctors are evil.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Fair enough. I can't dispute that.


However, one still must wonder what point Mr. Credibility is trying to make with his decision to support dissentowner's argument that the Flames doctors are making up a concussion. Based on Mr. Credibility's frequent insistence on blaming both Don Henderson and Eric Francis for Wideman's actions, something tells me he's actually trying to claim the Flames doctors are great, but the league's doctors are evil.

If there was one fake injury I'd be ok diagnosing in a contact sport, it would be a concussion.

The fact wideman played the rest of the game, was diagnosed after, and then passed the concussion protocol tests 7 days later doesn't do anything to remove doubts that the Flames medical staff may have unwittingly been involved in an attempt to lessen the punishment to Wideman.

That Wideman was on the practice ice with the Flames the first opportunity he could actually be with the team will lead people to question whether he was ever really concussed in the first place.

It's more bad press for the Flames. The longer this goes on, the worse it will be for the organization.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dino7c

no, but if Wideman is going to be criticized for continuing the play the question needs to be asked what protocol is there for the official?

if Wideman is going to be accused of faking a concussion (Francis basically did this today) one has to wonder why the official gets a pass

Would it really be shocking if the union asked him to sit out a few games

Nope, it wouldn't because both sides are going to do anything in their power to
come out ahead. If people don't think there is not some b.s from both sides here I don't know what to say.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Fair enough. I can't dispute that.


However, one still must wonder what point Mr. Credibility is trying to make with his decision to support dissentowner's argument that the Flames doctors are making up a concussion. Based on Mr. Credibility's frequent insistence on blaming both Don Henderson and Eric Francis for Wideman's actions, something tells me he's actually trying to claim the Flames doctors are great, but the league's doctors are evil.

I have no idea what happened and neither does anyone else because the story has changed so many times it is ridiculous. First it was Wideman had a few stingers but he was fine other than that. Then he changed his story to he was woozy. Originally everyone was questioning why the Flames did not look into if Wideman had a concussion. Now it comes out days later all of the sudden he was diagnosed with a concussion right after the game. It sounds like a lot of trying to cover their ass's from both the Flames and Wideman to me. Simply an opinion. Now today he is out there doing full practice. I am sure Henderson is milking it too. What a mess.

[Dion]

Elliotte Friedman was talking with Rob Kerr on the Fan yesterday afternoon and stated after viewing the NHL video on the suspension he strongly felt it was about the concussion protocal and it not being followed. Add to that the league is being sued and it looks bad on the NHL. He went further to say that he talked to a few league executives and they got the same impression.

Friedman was surprised with the length of the suspension and thought Wideman would get 10 games. Feels the 20 games may have been that high for fear that an aribtrator rules in favour of less games.

He talked to some players who all felt the 20 games was excessive.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/the-big-...-wants-to-add/

[speede5]

All this doctor talk and I just keep picturing this guy;

[Hockeyguy15]

When does Bettman "listen" to the appeal? You would think the NHL would want to move this along a little quicker with all the press it's generating.