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

[sureLoss]

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
No time frame on Bettman's decision on Wideman appeal. It could, in fact, take several days according to a source.

[Gaudfather]

Pierre LeBrun was also saying it could take a day or two to hear from Bettman on this.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Feel free to ignore my guess if you would like.

But if I was the NHLPA I would be wary to test the neutral arbitrator on an abuse of official case.

Why? The most he can do is uphold it. And that, IMO is pretty unlikely. There's far more downside for the league.

[Resolute 14]

I think the arbitrator could actually extend it if he wanted, but that seems rather unlikely.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I think the arbitrator could actually extend it if he wanted, but that seems rather unlikely.

I think only if the league somehow appealed Bettman's ruling, which would be weird. But I'm not sure of the mandate.

[mrkajz44]

This process is taking WAY too long. The hit occurred on Jan 27, so we are a full 2 weeks from the actual incident. We are still probably at least 7-10 days until Bettman decides, the case is taken to a 3rd party, and that 3rd party makes a decision.

What happens if Wideman serves more games of suspension than he actually gets from the incident after this is all done? He is already at 5 games, maybe at 7 by the time Bettman decides. I think it's possible he's served over 10 games by the time a final decision is made, so what happens if the 3rd party knocks it down to 10?

[Samiz]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

This process is taking WAY too long. The hit occurred on Jan 27, so we are a full 2 weeks from the actual incident. We are still probably at least 7-10 days until Bettman decides, the case is taken to a 3rd party, and that 3rd party makes a decision.

What happens if Wideman serves more games of suspension than he actually gets from the incident after this is all done? He is already at 5 games, maybe at 7 by the time Bettman decides. I think it's possible he's served over 10 games by the time a final decision is made, so what happens if the 3rd party knocks it down to 10?

Totally agree with this. I understand that the incident happened at a busy time of the year (right before ASG) but they really need to speed up the process

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Samiz

Totally agree with this. I understand that the incident happened at a busy time of the year (right before ASG) but they really need to speed up the process

No they don't. From a wanting the Flames to win standpoint it can take forever for all I care. Unless you think he can be traded.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

This process is taking WAY too long. The hit occurred on Jan 27, so we are a full 2 weeks from the actual incident. We are still probably at least 7-10 days until Bettman decides, the case is taken to a 3rd party, and that 3rd party makes a decision.

What happens if Wideman serves more games of suspension than he actually gets from the incident after this is all done? He is already at 5 games, maybe at 7 by the time Bettman decides. I think it's possible he's served over 10 games by the time a final decision is made, so what happens if the 3rd party knocks it down to 10?

I would think the significant difference would be that Wideman would get paid for the missed games beyond the suspended amount.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

This process is taking WAY too long. The hit occurred on Jan 27, so we are a full 2 weeks from the actual incident. We are still probably at least 7-10 days until Bettman decides, the case is taken to a 3rd party, and that 3rd party makes a decision.

What happens if Wideman serves more games of suspension than he actually gets from the incident after this is all done? He is already at 5 games, maybe at 7 by the time Bettman decides. I think it's possible he's served over 10 games by the time a final decision is made, so what happens if the 3rd party knocks it down to 10?

No, we are a day or two until Bettman decides, at most. Not 7-10 days. The decision was given within 24 hours of the initial hearing, and it is safe to expect the same here. The NHLPA then has seven days to file a request to appeal to a neutral arbitrator, which will be held on an expedited basis.

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

No, we are a day or two until Bettman decides, at most. Not 7-10 days. The decision was given within 24 hours of the initial hearing, and it is safe to expect the same here. The NHLPA then has seven days to file a request to appeal to a neutral arbitrator, which will be held on an expedited basis.

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago With review of evidence and transcripts, it's realistic to think we won't get a ruling on Wideman's appeal until next week.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Mccree

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago With review of evidence and transcripts, it's realistic to think we won't get a ruling on Wideman's appeal until next week.

Just another example of how sports leagues take themselves too seriously.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Mccree

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago With review of evidence and transcripts, it's realistic to think we won't get a ruling on Wideman's appeal until next week.

I doubt the NHLPA allows that to happen, but we'll see.

Edit: Actually, I will take that back, per this really good chart on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comm..._hours/czvaiap

Looks like Bettman is usually four days to a decision.

[Vulcan]

If the suspension is lessened, the longer it's removed from the date of the initial outrage, the better. To the normal media, it will just be a footnote while the NHL will still look like they came down hard.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Wideman waits 15 games

Bettman "we've reduced the suspension to 10 games, wideman will retroactively play those 5 games or forefeit any compensation awarded to him during those games"

I assuming something this dumb will occur

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

This process is taking WAY too long. The hit occurred on Jan 27, so we are a full 2 weeks from the actual incident. We are still probably at least 7-10 days until Bettman decides, the case is taken to a 3rd party, and that 3rd party makes a decision.

What happens if Wideman serves more games of suspension than he actually gets from the incident after this is all done? He is already at 5 games, maybe at 7 by the time Bettman decides. I think it's possible he's served over 10 games by the time a final decision is made, so what happens if the 3rd party knocks it down to 10?

The Flames win a couple more games than they would have?

[Trailer Fire]

Not sure if this has been posted yet.

[saXon]

^ it shouldn't have been

[taxbuster]

I still think the NHL could have been smarter: have the hearing with Colie Campbell - then craft a carefully constructed video and commentary that sets out that they considered 20 games (or whatever number), but given the possibility that he was actually concussed, but was at least partially aware of his surroundings, it was reduced to (say) 10 games.

While not entirely palatable to all parties, it reinforces the notion that if you're on the ice you are still responsible for your actions, provides some evidence that they considered "reasonable doubt" that it was deliberate, moves away from being "entirely accidental" and leaves the player, the PA, the OA with a reasoned, credible solution and penalty.

Instead they slam him, state the same "non-facts" over and over again in their video, ignore the potential effects of concussion and leave themselves wide open to criticism and reversal.

Why can't these (supposedly smart) guys figure this out?

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by saXon

^ it shouldn't have been

I thought it was funny...