[News] Bettman upholds 20 game Wideman suspension. NHLPA files appeal to neutral arbitrator

[mrkajz44]

Just read that report from Bettman. It is basically a position paper about why 20 games is correct. Doesn't show the other side of the story really. The concussion stuff is mentioned, but only in the capacity that he didn't agree with it. He barely touches on how Wideman appeared to be startled right before contact, and basically said that Wideman deliberately brought his arms up in advance to make sure he could cross check the official.

Not surprised, but disappointed to see such a one sided story being told.

[The Yen Man]

Does this mean refs will now call Wideman for unsportsmanlike conduct if he so much as breathes on a ref?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Weitz

So Wideman and Treliving didn't even ask for a reduction? Just a straight no suspension?

That seems crazy to me.

Not to me. If there is no intent there should be no suspension. If there is, it should be a big one.

[Fan in Exile]

This is consistent with what I would expect from a legal standpoint, and aside from my initial opinion, and as someone who presents judicial reviews and appeals for a living, it looks like a sound decision and is not likely to be overturned. An arbitrator may be neutral but on review, the threshold for intervention is high. If the suspension was reasonably applied, then it will stand.

Giving the concussion excuse always raised a serious risk of being seen as not taking responsibility. The leaked email is a killer and so is golfing on vacation.
I think Wideman would be wise not to pursue this any further.

[northcrunk]

Now I see why the refs have been trying to punish the Flames. F'in bush league.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Does this mean refs will now call Wideman for unsportsmanlike conduct if he so much as breathes on a ref?

In fact the refs may cut any Flames player a little less slack for a period!

[GreenLantern]

Are we all looking at the same hit? Am I the only one that thinks Wideman got off easy with only 20 games?

What details am I missing here that has CP in an uproar? Cause this is pretty extreme homerism, even for here.

[Erick Estrada]

So maybe there is some loophole where the Flames can get out of Wideman's contract? Despite the Flames trying to help him, he's shown in a text that he's a not remorseful and is a danger to officials. Flames do not pay him over $5 million a season to goon officials, they pay him to play hockey. There has to be a breach of contract here as the footing is no less solid than what the Kings used against Richards.

[mrkajz44]

The other part of the report that I didn't like was how he quoted rule 40, where the action needs to be deliberate. He says that Wideman deliberately did that. Then, he dismisses the doctors saying they could not actually know Wideman's state of mind at the time, they were just making guesses.

So which is it Gary? Either you cannot know what Wideman is thinking, and therefore its hard to say it was deliberate, or you should have given more credit to the doctor's testimony. Nice to have it both ways.

[sureLoss]

John Shannon @JSportsnet
NHLPA and Wideman now have 7 days to appeal Bettman ruling. Would go to 3rd party arbitrator , George Nicolau.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

This season can't end soon enough. All that's left is to do is wait for the disastrous lottery result that sees Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto drafting top 3. Hopefully the crazy shiat is at least kept to a minimum until then.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Are we all looking at the same hit? Am I the only one that thinks Wideman got off easy with only 20 games?

What details am I missing here that has CP in an uproar? Cause this is pretty extreme homerism, even for here.

You are missing him trying to avoid Henderson at the last minute, an indication he didn't see him until then and that therefore it was an accident. That's how I saw it even before his story.

[sureLoss]

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Brian Burke tells @timandsid he's "amazed" by how long Wideman appeal took. "We've been asking for a result for several days."

[CaptainCrunch]

The Flames shouldn't bother appealing.

I'm really disturbed about the text message admission, if anything is going to fracture a dressing room, its this whether it was willingly given over or not. But I contend that the Flames dressing room is nowhere near on the same page as last year.

Basically the Flames have averaged I think 5 penalties a game over the last 4, and we've also seen obvious calls the other way being ignored (obvious penalty shot, Johnny getting hit from behind right in front of the refs etc).

My buddy said it the other day and he's not a flames fan, that if the Flames expect to get a favorable call for the rest of the season they're kidding themselves.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

So maybe there is some loophole where the Flames can get out of Wideman's contract? Despite the Flames trying to help him, he's shown in a text that he's a not remorseful and is a danger to officials. Flames do not pay him over $5 million a season to goon officials, they pay him to play hockey. There has to be a breach of contract here as the footing is no less solid than what the Kings used against Richards.

If Wideman legitimately feels he did nothing wrong, he shouldn't feel guilty.

If he told his teammates otherwise, it would conflict with his defence.

If anything, the text message supports Wideman's claim that he had no intent to injure a linesman. And he didn't send that text knowing that the NHL would jump through every hoop in the book to acquire it.

The rule is, after all, all about intent. It's apparent to me that Wideman had none.

[BOSSY]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Stupid for Wideman to text that and kind of bush league for Bettman to release that to the media.

How so?

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Not to me. If there is no intent there should be no suspension. If there is, it should be a big one.

Asking for a reduced suspension would be admitting he did something wrong, when the defence has always been that Wideman did nothing wrong.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If Wideman legitimately feels he did nothing wrong, he shouldn't feel guilty.

If he told his teammates otherwise, it would conflict with his defence.

If anything, the text message supports Wideman's claim that he had no intent to injure a linesman.

The rule is, after all, all about intent. It's apparent to me that Wideman had none.

Maybe I should have green texted my post as it wasn't serious.

I read his text more that he's not overly remorseful not that he didn't do anything wrong as he's blaming the victim and media when he really should take some responsibility for doing something stupid.

[sureLoss]

Just of note Flames have no say on the appeals process.

It is solely up to the player and the NHLPA to appeal a suspension. The Flames can offer to testify and support the player, but they don't get to say the player should appeal.

[East Coast Flame]

I'm assuming that Bettman being able to subpoena his phone had to be collectively bargained? How in the world would the NHLPA allow that? That is absolutely mental