Saddledome Event Recap - Brian Burke State of the Union

[Itse]

Personally the whole idea of feeling animosity towards Wideman seems incredibly petty.

I don't know the facts, and in situations like this the facts are almost never clear cut. And I really don't see why anyone should care at this point. The situation is already resolved. Wideman is essentially gone, let's just forget about him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Itse

Personally the whole idea of feeling animosity towards Wideman seems incredibly petty.

I don't know the facts, and in situations like this the facts are almost never clear cut. And I really don't see why anyone should care at this point. The situation is already resolved. Wideman is essentially gone, let's just forget about him.

I agree. It's pretty incredible to me that game threads are still full of Wideman references when he hasn't played for 7 games or so. Mostly just to take a shot at him.

[Strange Brew]

I'm surprised so many people think Wideman never plays another game for the Dlames. This team has so healthy this year, and so hot recently, that we forget the importance of depth. Theres not much doubt in my mind that he will still see game action, either because of injury or a guy like Bartkowski cycles out of the lineup after a rough game or two.

Am I way off base? I'm not that worried about Wideman playing and still think he's better than any option currently in Stockton.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Itse

Personally the whole idea of feeling animosity towards Wideman seems incredibly petty.

I don't know the facts, and in situations like this the facts are almost never clear cut. And I really don't see why anyone should care at this point. The situation is already resolved. Wideman is essentially gone, let's just forget about him.

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I'm surprised so many people think Wideman never plays another game for the Dlames. This team has so healthy this year, and so hot recently, that we forget the importance of depth. Theres not much doubt in my mind that he will still see game action, either because of injury or a guy like Bartkowski cycles out of the lineup after a rough game or two.

Am I way off base? I'm not that worried about Wideman playing and still think he's better than any option currently in Stockton.

You are not off base and I am also not worried. IMO Wideman is a pretty darn good insurance policy in the POs.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Beninho

None of us would have empathy for Todd Bertuzzi, Wideman ruined a mans career but all of you can feel free to make excuses for Wideman and claim that I'm a terrible person for having zero, nada, zilch of empathy for him. He lost all my respect after he blindsided an official into the boards, its unfourthnage that most of this board has forgiven him and now feels bad for Wideman. Let me tell you something he could care less about all of you.

Go watch the replay of the hit he made on the ref and actually tell me he didn't know what he was doing. Took multiple strides while staring right at him. Disgusting

You have 100% made up your mind on this incident, and I know I am wasting my time here, but I have a few minutes...

If you have ever taken a big knock to the head (heck, sometimes to the body) and become disoriented, you don't really see what is in front of you well. Your interpretation of the events is based on Wideman being 'normal' at the time. My interpretation (based on a variety of factors, including the hit he took preceding it, the angle of his skates, how if he wanted to really cross-check someone it would have looked a bit different, the whole thing looking more like an unexpected reaction by him, and what I would call unsteady skating) is that he was NOT normal.

Fact of the matter is, you have based your opinion so strongly on something that you can't be sure about. The whole idea that Wideman was in fact not quite seeing well and processing well at the time is very plausible. I know because I have been hit hard in other sports (boxing, wrestling, and even just some school yard rough-housing with friends) and I find it very plausible. You do experience a 'darkening' where you aren't really seeing much, everything takes longer to process... For me, that was what I thought had happened BEFORE Wideman himself came out with that excuse.

If I am right, I would expect Wideman to have been REALLY surprised when he saw himself on the replay later, as I bet what he was seeing at the time was completely different than what the video monitor would have shown him. It is actually kind of scary when that happens to yourself. That is why I give him the benefit of the doubt - especially considering that for 15 years in the NHL he has a total of ZERO issues on or off the ice.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I'm surprised so many people think Wideman never plays another game for the Dlames. This team has so healthy this year, and so hot recently, that we forget the importance of depth. Theres not much doubt in my mind that he will still see game action, either because of injury or a guy like Bartkowski cycles out of the lineup after a rough game or two.

Am I way off base? I'm not that worried about Wideman playing and still think he's better than any option currently in Stockton.

No, you're exactly right.

You need depth on D heading down the stretch and into the playoffs. And Wideman provides that.

He may have been a lousy #4 at this point in his career, but he is actually a pretty terrific #7 or #8. He is a veteran with lots of playoff experience.

Not many teams have much better sitting in the pressbox than that, as backup for injuries.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You are not off base and I am also not worried. IMO Wideman is a pretty darn good insurance policy in the POs.

I totally get what people are saying here, but I honestly doubt we see him play even if multiple defensemen go down between here and the end of the season. Since he has had to be told to be a professional on more than 1 occasion as a plus 30 NHLer, you know you have seen the last of this guy. No doubt in my mind that he is in the AHL right now if it wasn't for his NMC.

GG doesn't want him near the team any more, that is obvious. I agree with many on here, I am sure the players don't see him as a detriment and probably still love the guy, but the management/owners want him gone. I can just imagine his behaviour, I have had athletes whom I have coached not get their way and they can be cancerous. He is a professional and should act as one. I know he is a human being with emotions, but that doesn't excuse his behaviour (apparent behaviour, since I don't know how he has been acting in the dressing room and on the ice in practice, etc).

I don't think he is better than what we have in Stockton at this point. He hasn't been giving the effort in practice and hasn't been playing any games, what kind of game shape is he in? He could barely keep up before, imaging being out of shape now or heading into the playoffs. No thanks. Bring up some of the other guys first, if they flop maybe he gets a chance, but that chance is slim. Wideman is done and I don't think he plays another minute for the Flames.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

I totally get what people are saying here, but I honestly doubt we see him play even if multiple defensemen go down between here and the end of the season. Since he has had to be told to be a professional on more than 1 occasion as a plus 30 NHLer, you know you have seen the last of this guy. No doubt in my mind that he is in the AHL right now if it wasn't for his NMC.

GG doesn't want him near the team any more, that is obvious. I agree with many on here, I am sure the players don't see him as a detriment and probably still love the guy, but the management/owners want him gone. I can just imagine his behaviour, I have had athletes whom I have coached not get their way and they can be cancerous. He is a professional and should act as one. I know he is a human being with emotions, but that doesn't excuse his behaviour (apparent behaviour, since I don't know how he has been acting in the dressing room and on the ice in practice, etc).

I don't think he is better than what we have in Stockton at this point. He hasn't been giving the effort in practice and hasn't been playing any games, what kind of game shape is he in? He could barely keep up before, imaging being out of shape now or heading into the playoffs. No thanks. Bring up some of the other guys first, if they flop maybe he gets a chance, but that chance is slim. Wideman is done and I don't think he plays another minute for the Flames.

Your whole post is based on hearsay and, according to the OP, hearsay from a source that is somewhat suspect.

Wideman is a guy who is capable of good games, he's even done it this year several times (remember the stretch where even his detractors were admitting he was playing well?). I'm better with him in spot duty than Kulak, Spoon or the untested rookies.

[Calgary4LIfe]

If GG didn't want him near the team, Wideman would not be near the team. Teams in the past have told players to stay away, and if Wideman was indeed being a negative influence or even a negative distraction to the team, I would assume he would have already been told to stay away.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

If GG didn't want him near the team, Wideman would not be near the team. Teams in the past have told players to stay away, and if Wideman was indeed being a negative influence or even a negative distraction to the team, I would assume he would have already been told to stay away.

Not necessarily true. The Flames probably realize that should an injury occur down the stretch or in the playoffs that they will need Wideman to step in. So telling him to stay home or stay away from the team doesn't really work. IF he is acting up and creating problems, the coaching staff has no choice but to try and reel him in, cause he may be needed.

[Toonage]

Probably been mentioned, but I don't find it hard to believe at all that Wideman would need to be spoken with about being a good soldier etc. I have no doubt he's angry and wants to play. Its the last few weeks of the season where his contract expires. He's got to be very frustrated how this year and a half have played out. Right now he's staring down the end of his career and can't get on the ice to try and sway some GM's opinion. Plus the deadline just passed and no one wanted him there either.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Not necessarily true. The Flames probably realize that should an injury occur down the stretch or in the playoffs that they will need Wideman to step in. So telling him to stay home or stay away from the team doesn't really work. IF he is acting up and creating problems, the coaching staff has no choice but to try and reel him in, cause he may be needed.

That is true - good point. I guess it is all dependent on how much of a distraction he is being IF he is indeed being so. I have learned to not trust hearsay and speculation so much, so I personally think Wideman is going about it decently, though I am 100% sure he is of course bothered by his situation. The practice observations noted by Classic Sniper (post 89 in this thread) carry more weight with me than what a media guy says during an event and does not go on record with it by publishing it.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Krovikan

Burke releasing information on Brouwer is interesting, because 1/2 the time I swear Burke is sent out to send a message that is to spread disinformation. For example, before drafts all Burke talks about is how we are going to draft big, and get bigger.

Brian Burke, May 2016:
"Bollig will play more next season, no matter who the coach is"

Brandon Bollig - 2016/17 total TOI: 0 mins



Good luck in Vegas, Troy.

[Vinny01]

This season has gone so badly for Wideman and he has watched recent teammates in Glencross and Raymond fail to find work after their contracts expires and Beth were younger than Wideman when it happened. He probably feels trapped as he knows the only way he can play is injury and he likely wants to prolong his career. Luckily for him he is concluding a $26M contract that has set him and his family up for generations. Still st the end of the day any competitor that is not ready to call it a day would struggle with this

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Not necessarily true. The Flames probably realize that should an injury occur down the stretch or in the playoffs that they will need Wideman to step in. So telling him to stay home or stay away from the team doesn't really work. IF he is acting up and creating problems, the coaching staff has no choice but to try and reel him in, cause he may be needed.

Not according to foshizzle11:

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

I totally get what people are saying here, but I honestly doubt we see him play even if multiple defensemen go down between here and the end of the season ... Bring up some of the other guys first, if they flop maybe he gets a chance, but that chance is slim. Wideman is done and I don't think he plays another minute for the Flames.

I personally think that Wideman will still get games at some point down the stretch or in the playoffs.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Brian Burke, May 2016:
"Bollig will play more next season, no matter who the coach is"

Brandon Bollig - 2016/17 total TOI: 0 mins



Good luck in Vegas, Troy.

Brings up a good point that I have been thinking about lately.

If there is a possible injury right before or during the playoffs (and Hathaway has already been recalled) I wonder if Bollig would be high on the list. I thought he was a positive factor the last time the Flames were in the playoffs. People will hate me for saying this, but he could be a decent call-up if the Flames do get matched with Edmonton with Lucic, Maroon and Kassian on their roster.

I don't think he would get the recall until there are a number of injuries, but it also wouldn't shock me to see him in the lineup during the playoffs depending on who the Flames are playing.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Brian Burke, May 2016:
"Bollig will play more next season, no matter who the coach is"

Brandon Bollig - 2016/17 total TOI: 0 mins



Good luck in Vegas, Troy.

To be fair, Burke didn't specify which league.

Bollig has played 44 games in the AHL this year.

[Toonage]

Bollig could be a black ace for the playoffs. Wouldn't surprise me.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Yah I'm not buying this GG wants Wideman away from the team bit because he's terrible. If it's true, then it's a brand new development that's come about in regards to how Wideman has responded to the Flames acquiring players that push Wideman out of his spot on the 2nd pair, and / or the Flames not coming through with a trade that will allow Wideman to get ample ice time elsewhere down the stretch. Which I guess is plausible given I'm sure Wideman is hoping to maximise his potential for a new contract somewhere next year..........hard to do that if you aren't playing.

But if Wideman was this bad influence on the team prior, he simply would not have been playing as much as he did. This theory that GG was forced to play him holds no weight IMO, because it's clear management was definetely on the we would like to make the playoffs train this year, and they wouldn't have risked that simply to play Wideman to increase his trade value. We aren't talking about a guy who you could realistically hope could maybe play his way into earning you a 1st round pick, we are talking about an expensive player, who completely controls where he goes who certainly isn't a top 4 guy anymore no matter how well he plays. So we are talking about trying to maybe get a mid round pick for him at best, if anything at all (and we saw how it played out).

Highly doubt BT and Burke would make GG play someone who was a bad influence on the team, risking our chances at playoffs for the chance to maybe squeeze an extra mid to late pick out of someone at the deadline given his contract is up at the end of the year. Wideman was playing because GG felt he was the best option for the team to win games prior to our trades, which means he couldn't have been the worlds worst team mate.

[Strange Brew]

I would expect Bollig to see some PT in the playoffs. That doesn't concern me too much.