Dennis wideman - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

djsFlames · 01-20-2015, 03:38 PM

I like Wideman. Haven't had any major issues with him since early in the season. He's an offensive d-man, a PP quarterback, and has been for years. He's bringing exactly what was advertised and even a bit more this year. I've thought in recent games his pairing has been more effective in moving the puck than Gio/Brodie.

It's the 3 guys below him that I have problems with.

heep223 · 01-20-2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Maybe I'm being ridiculous. I probably like experiments and ballsy moves too much.

Trying to justify putting Paul Byron on D. TL;DR

You're probably right, I'm probably wrong/insane. I guess I should just shut up so I will.

Ridiculous? Yes. Wrong? Yes. Insane? Yes. But you don't need to shut up man! It's just a wacky and incredibly far out idea that would never work nor be attempted. But all the power to freedom of speech and it's good for a chuckle!

GreenLantern2814 · 01-20-2015, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I like Wideman. Haven't had any major issues with him since early in the season. He's an offensive d-man, a PP quarterback, and has been for years. He's bringing exactly what was advertised and even a bit more this year. I've thought in recent games his pairing has been more effective in moving the puck than Gio/Brodie.

It's the 3 guys below him that I have problems with.

No doubt - if this team is ready to contend in 2 more years, you can win a Cup with Wideman/Russell as your 5/6. Even factoring in a modest raise for Russell, I'd rather pay a 3rd pair of Wideman/Russell 8.5M than Smid/Engelland 6.5.

FBI · 01-20-2015, 08:54 PM

I think Wideman is benefiting a lot from having Johnny on the team.. I'm seeing that Johnny is constantly looking for him on the PP and on his rushes.

BACKCHECK!!! · 01-20-2015, 09:20 PM

Wideman leads the NHL in goals by a defenceman, plays 20+ minutes, and is an even +/- player.

I have to wonder about people who look at that and think "5th/6th defenceman".

sharkov · 01-20-2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Wideman leads the NHL in goals by a defenceman, plays 20+ minutes, and is an even +/- player.

I have to wonder about people who look at that and think "5th/6th defenceman".

not too long ago he was a -8 so I can see why

Volica · 01-20-2015, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBI

I think Wideman is benefiting a lot from having Johnny on the team.. I'm seeing that Johnny is constantly looking for him on the PP and on his rushes.

Wide's is benefitting from being a non-focal point of this team, and playing with Russell; who has stepped his game, like Wideman, tremendously. I also like how he's being used in the Hartley system.

If he was up the QE2; he'd be a sickening minus player.

He's got the right system, partner and # of Dmen in front of him to let his game get to the next level.

hayduke's dad · 01-20-2015, 09:32 PM

I for one wasn't feeling to good with him on the ice tied at 1 with 1 min to go in 3rd. He is a hazard in his own end. Loved him when he scored in OT no doubt about that but have 0 confidence in him in the Flames end. Too soft and out of position a lot. Just cause the pucks are going in for him right now doesn't make him any different in his own end than he was last year.

pylon · 01-20-2015, 11:54 PM

I don't know what some of you guys are watching, and or expecting.

We have one of the best top four d-sets in the league right now. Brodie is essentially a younger slightly more offensively minded version of Gio. Russell is a frikkin stud on the back end this year, especially in the shot blocking department, and he gives Wideman the freedom to jump into the play and flex his offensive muscles.

You can complain about Wideman's turn overs until you are blue in the face, but the lightning quick transition game the Flames are playing this year, will result in some of those turnovers as a side effect. Wideman has made some amazing long passes out of the zone this year, heck even Engelland has made some beauties. And the reason the team is pulling out some of these amazing wins this year, is because of those gambles. Sometimes you are gonna get burned.... blame the system, not the player.

Wideman has been excellent this year, and is playing well within his contract range. And he has got his nose dirty when needed. If Wideman only deserves 3mil like some are suggesting, then Phaneuf should technically be paying the Leafs to suit up.

Mister Yamoto · 01-21-2015, 12:11 AM

He has scored 22 goals in 137 games as a Flame. Or 13.1 goals/82 games. Great numbers for a D but not elite. And he definitely is a defensive liability.

I think it's great that he is finding the back of the net this season. For him to be an effective player, he has too.

Maybe he will keep this up and have a 20+ goal season. But all in all, so far not a good signing especially when you look at where the Flames were 3 summers ago.

calgarywinning · 01-21-2015, 12:16 AM

Yeah, I hate Dennis Wideman cause he scores off goalie cams.

My mind can't handle an offensive D-Man.

GreenLantern2814 · 01-21-2015, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

He has scored 22 goals in 137 games as a Flame. Or 13.1 goals/82 games. Great numbers for a D but not elite. And he definitely is a defensive liability.

I think it's great that he is finding the back of the net this season. For him to be an effective player, he has too.

Maybe he will keep this up and have a 20+ goal season. But all in all, so far not a good signing especially when you look at where the Flames were 3 summers ago.

He isn't a defensive liability, he's just not a top pairing guy. Playing him against top lines is a mistake, but it's not his job. He's supposed to be a second pairing D that scores 40 points a year.

I stand by Wideman being a 3rd pairing guy on a true contender, however. I don't know too many third and fourth lines in the NHL that could truly make nights miserable for he and Russell - both skate too well.

Phil Russell · 01-21-2015, 05:16 AM

This thread blows my mind and confirms something I said a couple of times in different threads over the last week or so: Wideman is seriously under-appreciated around here. Leads the NHL in goals for a defensemen, scores important goals, plays 23 min. a game, is even on +/-, and has a great attitude. Does he have weaknesses? Yes. But unless your name is Giordano, most defenseman have a weakness or two. Wideman is great.

StrykerSteve · 01-21-2015, 06:33 AM

Question, why does a photo of Mactavish show up as the icon for this thread on Tapatalk? Does it just show whatever the first image that's posted is?

killer_carlson · 01-21-2015, 06:46 AM

i'd like some of the naysayers here to give me examples of a #3 defenceman.

i think you'd see that Wideman fits well within that span, or if he doesn't, he'd be well within a #4.

It blows me away that some on here want to give him the title of #5 dman. This from the same group that claimed Butler was a #4 or 5.

Wideman has 12 goals this year. Last season there were only 12 dmen in the league who scored more goals than that over the course of the entire season.

His pace is close to career highs in points.
He plays 20+ minutes a game.
Bennett spoke about how Wideman really made him feel comfortable in his first experience as a rookie. Think about that - he specifically singled out Wideman for that.
His plus/minus is one of his career best
He has a bomb from the point and is very good (for the most part) about hitting the net. I remember the Phaneuf shooting gallery where he would miss the net 4 or more times on the same powerplay.
His skating isn't near as bad as people say and he is not overmatched in 4 on 4.
He also has a very good first pass, which helps our forwards on the breakout

I think you're messing with an awful lot if you want to split up our #2 pairing.

lanny9 · 01-21-2015, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Question, why does a photo of Mactavish show up as the icon for this thread on Tapatalk? Does it just show whatever the first image that's posted is?

That's No Good!

Bourque's Twin · 01-21-2015, 07:59 AM

Sometimes us fans take the Russell - Wideman pairing for granted because we also get to watch the best pairing in the NHL for 25 minutes per game. Wideman is leading the NHL in goals by a defensman and Russell is leading the NHL in blocked shots.

The Flames have a great D-core. They just need to improve that third pairing with a more mobile defenseman. Oh, wait. Wotherspoon just got called up!

kyuss275 · 01-21-2015, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Wideman leads the NHL in goals by a defenceman, plays 20+ minutes, and is an even +/- player.

I have to wonder about people who look at that and think "5th/6th defenceman".

Yes Wideman is having a great year. To be fair maybe some of the other posters are taking into account that he was hot garbage last year. In his first year he was good for the first half then garbage for the 2nd half.

Kudos to Wideman for turning his game around. He has been much much better since his pressbox benching near the start of the year. Maybe that was a wakeup call.

GreenLantern2814 · 01-21-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

i'd like some of the naysayers here to give me examples of a #3 defenceman.

i think you'd see that Wideman fits well within that span, or if he doesn't, he'd be well within a #4.

It blows me away that some on here want to give him the title of #5 dman. This from the same group that claimed Butler was a #4 or 5.

On this team as it's constructed, Wideman is definitely a 3/4. And he has done an excellent job to this point.

On a Stanley Cup team, Dennis Wideman is not going to be the third or fourth best D. If he is, our defensive depth I isn't good enough to win it all.

And Butler is a true #7. I'd take him over Diaz. That's it.

Stay Golden · 01-21-2015, 11:19 AM

Wideman's foot speed can be frustrating at times but I just accept the fact the fact he is not fast and usually you don't notice it much because he is smart realizes he doesn't have a quick pace so he is cautious when he pinches and when he shoots.
He knows he doesn't want to get caught in a blocked shot foot race.
Wideman makes up for this one flaw in so many of the other skills he brings to the Flames.
His shot is definitely his best asset. A God given gift to have a slap shot like that.