[News] UPD: NHL reviewing whether Flames followed concussion protocol for Wideman

[habernac]

Originally Posted by saillias

The situation was self-created though. If Wideman swallowed his pride and followed protocol the optics would be entirely different.

How different would this thing be if right after he got off the ice, he went down the hall? Instead Flames trainers look incompetent and he's out 500k

The athlete should 100% not have the ability to make the call that "he's fine". This needs to be in the hands of the league/team, both whatever.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah this was the Flames fault, you can't let the concussed athlete tell you "No, I'm fine".

It was clear that something was off and he should have been taken to the dark place right away. Hell they probably should have done it the second he hit that ref, since that was proof enough.

The optics of that entire play would have been very different if Wideman had went right down the tunnel and was diagnosed with a concussion right away.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah this was the Flames fault, you can't let the concussed athlete tell you "No, I'm fine".

It was clear that something was off and he should have been taken to the dark place right away. Hell they probably should have done it the second he hit that ref, since that was proof enough.

The optics of that entire play would have been very different if Wideman had went right down the tunnel and was diagnosed with a concussion right away.

I don't know if trainers/teams have the authority to do anything if the player refuses treatment. I think the extent of their ability is to staple the guy to the bench, but I don't think they can force them to go to the quiet room.

I think you would need the NHLPA's agreement in the CBA to have it mandatory the player go to the quiet room at the request of the concussion spotter, and if they didn't they are not allowed back on the ice and should be fined or suspended.

That's assuming I have the whole process of the concussion protocol correct.

[Resolute 14]

The trainers have as much authority as their own teams will give them. And that puts the trainers in a no-win situation because both the coaches and the players want to keep going.

So far, Montreal, Calgary, Florida and St. Louis have all allowed concussed players to keep playing. And those are just the stories I was able to quickly find. There are certainly other examples. It is clear that the NHL's half measure is not working.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah my assumption is that once the call down is made they had to be assessed.

This was a quote from Bill Daly earlier this year:

“Spotters do not have to be located in proximity to the ice surface,” wrote Daly. “The primary requirement is for them to have access to video equipment with live streams and replays of game action.

“If they witness certain visible signs of concussion and notify the bench, the protocol mandates that those players be removed from play for evaluation.


“Spotters make a log of all of the visible signs they witness and communicate to the bench. That information is filed with the Concussion Subcommittee for its review and oversight.”

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by saillias

The situation was self-created though. If Wideman swallowed his pride and followed protocol the optics would be entirely different.

How different would this thing be if right after he got off the ice, he went down the hall? Instead Flames trainers look incompetent and he's out 500k

I am honestly surprised no one "forced" him to step off the bench purely for the optics of the situation. Wideman took a big hit and obviously looked woozy when trying to get back onto his feet. Seconds later he obliterates an official in front of the bench. If I am Hartley I'd be thinking about getting him off the bench for at least a few minutes. If only to make it look like the hit was an accident. Had the Flames done that maybe Wideman wouldn't have been dinged with a 20 game suspension.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

But sometimes a concussion is symptom-free until later on. Hence Wideman is able to tap his stick and tell the trainers that he's fine. Likewise, the official finishes the game.

If he's symptom free, then his actions (hitting the linesman) cannot be blamed on the concussion.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

I am honestly surprised no one "forced" him to step off the bench purely for the optics of the situation. Wideman took a big hit and obviously looked woozy when trying to get back onto his feet. Seconds later he obliterates an official in front of the bench. If I am Hartley I'd be thinking about getting him off the bench for at least a few minutes. If only to make it look like the hit was an accident. Had the Flames done that maybe Wideman wouldn't have been dinged with a 20 game suspension.

Yeah, I have a feeling that if he goes to the quiet room and misses the rest of that game then it's likely not a 20 game suspension.

The conversation just would have been about concussions and their impact on a player.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The trainers have as much authority as their own teams will give them. And that puts the trainers in a no-win situation because both the coaches and the players want to keep going.

So far, Montreal, Calgary, Florida and St. Louis have all allowed concussed players to keep playing. And those are just the stories I was able to quickly find. There are certainly other examples. It is clear that the NHL's half measure is not working.

Who were the Montreal and St. Louis players?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by codynw

Who were the Montreal and St. Louis players?

Nathan Beaulieu and Robby Fabbri.

[Red Menace]

I really feel the Flames are hugely at fault here....
They had to get him off the ice and failed to protect him....
In my opinion Wideman shouldn't be suspended for more than 5 games, and the Flames should be heavily fined.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah, no. The NHL hasn't fined any other teams ignoring protocol. It would be completely inappropriate to fine the Flames now. They need to change their rules first.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

I am honestly surprised no one "forced" him to step off the bench purely for the optics of the situation. Wideman took a big hit and obviously looked woozy when trying to get back onto his feet. Seconds later he obliterates an official in front of the bench. If I am Hartley I'd be thinking about getting him off the bench for at least a few minutes. If only to make it look like the hit was an accident. Had the Flames done that maybe Wideman wouldn't have been dinged with a 20 game suspension.

It's probably just because no one really saw the incident, but it could also be that whoever did thought it was just a run of the mill player/official collision.

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Yeah, no. The NHL hasn't fined any other teams ignoring protocol. It would be completely inappropriate to fine the Flames now. They need to change their rules first.

They haven't punished any other players for hitting officials recently (except Lucic 1 game) but that didn't stop them from throwing the book at Wideman.

[powderjunkie]

Are the trainers on the bench doctors? Or are they more on the level of first aid/paramedic?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

They haven't punished any other players for hitting officials recently (except Lucic 1 game) but that didn't stop them from throwing the book at Wideman.

Painting oranges red does not make them apples.

Wideman's case is far different from other incidents.

The Flames ignoring the protocol is exactly the same as other incidents.

[VladtheImpaler]

As PF said, any system that leaves decision-making in the hands of team employees (be they players/trainers/doctors) is spurious - the NHL is passing the buck and "papering the file" for lawsuit purposes with the current spotters system. If they want to have a legitimate system in place that also has the benefit of insulating them from legal liability, they will need to spend some money and hire spotters who are actually medically qualified (i.e. doctors who deal with head injuries) and who will have unilateral authority to take the player out of the game. The doctors, for their own liability reasons, will err on the side of caution and that's a good thing...

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

I am honestly surprised no one "forced" him to step off the bench purely for the optics of the situation. Wideman took a big hit and obviously looked woozy when trying to get back onto his feet. Seconds later he obliterates an official in front of the bench. If I am Hartley I'd be thinking about getting him off the bench for at least a few minutes. If only to make it look like the hit was an accident. Had the Flames done that maybe Wideman wouldn't have been dinged with a 20 game suspension.

Watching on TV no one actually thought it was any big deal (either the hit or the collision with Henderson) until well after. Wideman looked more like he had the wind knocked out of him and I think everyone assumed it was just an accidental collision wi a linesman which happens every so often.

[bob-loblaw]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Are the trainers on the bench doctors? Or are they more on the level of first aid/paramedic?

I think the team doctor(s) sit in the row behind the bench.

[sureLoss]

NHL is reviewing whether the Flames followed concussion protocol:

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/nhl-reviewi...eman-1.433252?

The NHL is reviewing whether or not the Calgary Flames properly followed the league’s concussion protocol with defenceman Dennis Wideman during the Jan. 27 game in which he cross-checked linesman Don Henderson.

The NHL regularly reviews every instance when a concussion is diagnosed, much in the same way any questionable hit or incident is reviewed by the league’s Department of Player Safety.

Teams have previously been fined by the NHL for not following the protocol, though that information is not made public.

[codynw]

Did they investigate Montreal, St. Louis or Florida? Or the number of teams that I'm sure did it last year, or the year before? Nope. Only reason they're doing it now is because of all the attention this story has been given. And that's garbage.

Not that Calgary doesn't deserve to be investigated. Just saying that the rest of the teams did too.