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

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

General Fanager @generalfanager
Wideman will forfeit $564,516 in salary with his 20 game suspension #Flames

Shouldn't it be 25% of his 5.25m?

NVM: answered

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

In my mind the league has ruled that it was intentional because, as the plethora of youtube clips prove, they have never suspended for accidental contact. Even in non-hockey plays, like a fight/scrum or the Joseph incident, they have never suspended.

To me the lack of league precedence for suspending accidents, which I think the flames could make a good case this was, should rule out any suspension at all.

Yeah, this is definitely influenced by the social media age.

[Nehkara]

Wideman needs to appeal. Total garbage decision by the NHL.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

In my mind the league has ruled that it was intentional because, as the plethora of youtube clips prove, they have never suspended for accidental contact. Even in non-hockey plays, like a fight/scrum or the Joseph incident, they have never suspended.

To me the lack of league precedence for suspending accidents, which I think the flames could make a good case this was, should rule out any suspension at all.

I find it funny some people still think he'll get off without being suspended any games. For it to go through Bettman then to a neutral arbitrator, it'll take at least 1-2 weeks (if it's very expedited) and he'd have already missed a number of games. And there are many examples of suspensions when players have made contact with a ref or have pulled away with force from a ref. The precedent isn't 0 games. With an appeal, it's not all or nothing. 20 games set the bar high and he'll be lucky to argue it down to 10 games.

[MrMastodonFarm]

What a farce.

[Displaced Flames fan]

If it was an accident he would've shown some concern for Henderson. Absolutely agree with the decision. Won't demonize Wideman for one momentary lapse of judgment, it shouldn't define him, but he deserves the suspension and the officials deserve a workplace free of the threat of violence, like all of us do.

[sureLoss]

Sportsnet Stats @SNstats
#Flames Dennis Wideman's 20-game suspension is tied for the 2nd longest ban in NHL history for abusing an official.

[Yamer]

I'm one of the few who thought he meant to do it, so I'm not upset nor surprised about this.

Guess they thought the shove was viscous enough to warrant 20.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Shouldn't it be 25% of his 5.25m?

1st suspension is 1 game=1 day of the season. Repeat offender is 1 game=1game salary

[Slava]

Ridiculous.

[N-E-B]

Ridiculous.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

It's obvious Wideman just wanted to be healthy scratched this entire season and Hartley wouldn't budge.

Hopefully he can learn how to play hockey again in the next couple months.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by sa226

.

What does that even do? I'm pretty sure even the dirtiest of players aren't looking at the 20 games and saying to themselves "Oh boy, Wideman just got 20 games, I should try harder not to hit referees"

On this train of thought, how much of a joke does this make player vs player suspensions? I've seen some viciously dirty plays in the last 5 years that the NHL has been cracking down on dirty play and they've never, that I can recall, awarded a suspension this long to a player on his first offense.

If I'm in the NHLPA this reeks of "we don't give a #### about player safety, but if you accidentally hit a linesman, and we feel like giving out a suspension because of the optics, then watch out".

Makes me really disgusted with the NHL for their concussion stance. And I don't say that because Wideman was allowed to finish the game. I mean that in terms of the dirty plays they've given tiny suspensions for and embarrassed the league by having no balls. Although maybe this is sweet justice for the NHLPA always protecting the dirty scum players.

[Inferno]

It should be no more than 10. It doesn't surprise me with the NHL though.

[Tinordi]

NHL has to have zero tolerance on an issue like this.

Crappy for the Flames insofar as they can't deal him at the deadline but otherwise not terrible considering the season they're having.

[burn_this_city]

What I expected with the viral outrage south of the border.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

I think it is just a statement from the league, don't touch a ref under any or most circumstances. Hard to believe they found intent in that.

Unless your name is Lucic. Or Muzzin. Or Weber. Or Joseph. Or any number of other examples.

Same punishment as Todd Bertuzzi. I suppose there is some crazy inflation calculation over 10 years that I am missing.

[sureLoss]

Eric Francis @EricFrancis
#Flames GM Brad Treliving respectfully refused to comment on whether the Flames will appeal. Team trying to get its head around suspension

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

If it was an accident he would've shown some concern for Henderson. Absolutely agree with the decision. Won't demonize Wideman for one momentary lapse of judgment, it shouldn't define him, but he deserves the suspension and the officials deserve a workplace free of the threat of violence, like all of us do.

He did show concern. Once Wideman had his wits about him again he went and apologized to Henderson.

[cznTiburon]

When will we know if the flames get to make wideman a non-roster player or not? you would think 10-20 games (if reduced after appeal) would allow for it?