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

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by heep223

I didn't follow the thread and debate about the Webber hit on the same linesman, but watched the clip. Interesting that got nothing and Wideman got 20 games.

Once again, Henderson skated into Weber's path. The linesman, not the player, is at fault for that collision.

The two plays simply are not comparable.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Once again, Henderson skated into Weber's path. The linesman, not the player, is at fault for that collision.

The two plays simply are not comparable.

Huh, Henderson skated into Wideman's path as well and even blocked him from getting to the gate. I'm not saying the Wideman didn't deserve some games but your reasoning is flawed as usual.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Once again, Henderson skated into Weber's path. The linesman, not the player, is at fault for that collision.

The two plays simply are not comparable.

Thats not true at all, the same linesman is involved in both 'collisions.' I dare say that thats no coincidence. And that very same linesman is on The League's payroll no less.

Now I'm starting to fold my tinfoil hat and wonder if this is a conspiracy by Bettman and The League to deprive the Flames of a defensive cornerstone and thus devastate their season.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Igottago

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/did-wide...purpose~796476

This is still the best analysis of the incident IMO. If the other angle that Button shows here had been the one that was all over social media, it would've been a non story. The optics of the first angle (from behind) and the second angle (from the front) are very different...

But the difference with the second angle is much more than mere optics. The second one on it's own is not especially useful since it is from an overhead camera, and is taken at a much greater distance from the play. Far enough away, that it is too difficult to see what is going on. I agree that it helps to contextualise the first video, but I disagree that this does enough to affect one way or the other one's opinion about what happened.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Huh, Henderson skated into Wideman's path as well and even blocked him from getting to the gate. I'm not saying the Wideman didn't deserve some games but your reasoning is flawed as usual.

And they're both wearing helmets, and underwear! So similar!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

And they're both wearing helmets, and underwear! So similar!

Coincidence? I think not!

Aliens?

Indeed. It must have been Aliens. Damned no good dastardly aliens!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

And they're both wearing helmets, and underwear! So similar!

Assumes facts not in evidence.

[sureLoss]

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
#Flames Wideman through @NHLPA likely to appeal @NHL 20 game decision as early as tonite.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Actually I was trying to make a play on words with his 20 game suspension. Nothing to do with the poster I quoted other than to continue the game.

Doh! Missed it.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by codynw

Why do so many people keep bringing up that this might affect a Wideman trade?

Which NHL teams are trading for Wideman with the term and dollars left on his contract?

At retention, Wideman has value. His shooting percentage is way below career average.

[sureLoss]

NHLPA @NHLPA
The NHLPA has filed an appeal with the NHL on behalf of Dennis Wideman following today's suspension

[killer_carlson]

Good.

I think the appeal is warranted.

[SHOGUN]

I wonder what medical evidence they presented that proved Wideman had no intention of pushing the linesman.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

And they're both wearing helmets, and underwear! So similar!

So your denying that Henderson skated into Wideman's path?

[sureLoss]

The first appeal is to Gary Bettman.

If Bettman rules that the suspension should be 6 or more games, Wideman can appeal to an arbitrator.

[Cube Inmate]

The concept of appealing to Bettman is ridiculous...why even bother?

Has he ever overruled one of his stooges?

[Badgers Nose]

This is a crappy distraction.

By the time this is all over maybe he will waive his NMC.

[The Yen Man]

I really hope this Wideman suspension doesn't make Treliving decide to keep Russell instead of trading him at the deadline.

[united]

As expected.

I assume they will use whatever the medical evidence they claim to have in combination with the Weber incident which is directly comparable.

Not in the collision itself, which is the linesman's fault, but Weber's reaction of jumping into him before contact and applying force with both arms. The factor which makes Wideman's worse is Wideman has two hands on his stick making it a violent cross check, while Weber was all arms. I suspect they will claim it's the natural reaction to an unexpected object in one's path. Kerry Fraser also analyzed the play and showed how the linesman cut off Wideman's path to the door in the moments leading up to the collision - not the linesman's fault either, with his back to Wideman, but perhaps a small mitigating factor.

[zyzz]

CP kills me, so many butt hurt grown men, super upset. 20 games is great,